Lord’s has long been seen as the ‘Home of Cricket’and the game’s spiritual ‘headquarters’. But its importance is not merely historical. In practice it remains, to this day, perhaps the most important single place in world cricket.
Its owner, Marylebone Cricket Club, remains the guardian of both the Laws and the Spirit of Cricket, and MCC sides (which play around 500 games a year) perform a key role in promoting cricket – in Britain and elsewhere.
In addition, Lord’s is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), as well as the European Cricket Council (ECC).
It is also the setting for the state-of-the-art MCC Cricket Academy, the unrivalled MCC Library and the world-famous MCC Museum – where exhibits include the Wisden Trophy and, of course, the Ashes urn.
Above all, Lord’s is the setting for some of the best cricket in the world. It hosts npower Test matches and NatWest-sponsored One Day Internationals plus most of Middlesex’s home games, some historic fixtures (such as Oxford v Cambridge) and the Village Cup final.Lord’s also has one of the largest and finest, dedicated cricket shops in the country. Open daily, as well as on match-days, the Lord’s Shopprovides everything from unique Lord’s souvenirs to cricket bats and equipment, including expert advice on what best suits you.
Looking forward, it will be the archery venue when London stages the London Games in 2012.
To take a closer look, go on a Tour of Lord’s, book a net or coaching session at the MCC Cricket Academy or buy a ticket or book some hospitality for a matchday. Alternatively, visit the Lord’s Tavern, by the Grace Gate entrance to ‘The Home of Cricket’.