LONDON: New Zealand’s Kane Williamson is enjoying his return to Lord’s as the iconic stadium hosts its 150th Test when the Black Caps take on England this week.
Lord’s, which has hosted more Tests than any other venue, is cricket’s most historic stadium and Williamson has no intention of taking his final appearance there for granted.
“It’s always a special test,” the batsman told reporters at Lord’s on Tuesday. “I’ve been playing for a while and I only have a handful of opportunities to come to Lord’s and play and have the experience that you have here.”
Williamson, a veteran of 109 Tests but only four at Lord’s, added: “I know for a number of players in the dressing room it is their first time and they are very excited about that prospect.”
Asked why playing at Lord’s, the home of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in north London, was different to other grounds, the 35-year-old added: “I think the way they keep the tradition is quite special. “It’s unique to Lord’s.
“The history that surrounds it, the effort that goes into all of that. You come here and you notice those differences with all the other lands.
“And I mean, every field is different. But going out on the field through the Long Room [of the Pavilion]meeting some members (MCC) and obviously the lunches are iconic.
“There are a number of things that are memorable here, but it’s a special place to play. And I think everyone feels it for the first time and also values every opportunity they have,” he said.
Williamson has scored over 9,000 Tests at an average of 54.58, including 33 centuries.
While celebrated batsmen Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara failed to score a Test hundred at Lord’s, Williamson got his name on the dressing room honors board with 132 innings in 2015.
“I guess the honors board is something people talk a lot about,” Williamson said before the opening day of the first test on Thursday.
“It was a memorable moment some time ago, but I remember it fondly.”
Baker pushing for test debut
Meanwhile, England could give fast bowler Sonny Baker a Test debut when they face New Zealand in the series opener.
The 23-year-old is in the running to feature in England’s first Test since the 4-1 Ashes thrashing in Australia.
Josh Tongue and the retired Ollie Robinson are likely to fill two of the bowling spots, leaving Baker competing with Gus Atkinson for a place in the team.
Atkinson has an impressive record at Lord’s, with 19 wickets at just 10.94 in two previous Tests at the London ground, as well as a century against Sri Lanka, but Baker’s greater speed makes him an attractive option.
Opening batsman Emilio Gay will make his debut and an uncertain weather forecast could work in Baker’s favor if there is a chance of overs being lost in the first of a three-Test series.
“He’s quick,” England coach Brendon McCullum said at Lord’s on Tuesday. “I think he will be a cricketer who the country will really get behind.
“You can see he comes in and leaves it all out there. Some guys have a little more of a rhythm component to their style; I think Sonny is loud.”
The former New Zealand captain said Baker had the ability to reach 90 miles (145 kilometers) per hour, with a slippery bounce.
“It’s an exciting proposition and if he’s not in this trial, his time will come. If it’s this trial, I hope he does a good job,” he said.
“We’ll just work out if we want that extra airspeed, if it suddenly becomes 35 degrees and flattens out, or if we stick to what’s been tried at Lord’s and stick with the type of players who will extract some movement with the head conditions.”
Baker, who has played two white-ball matches for England and was expensive in both, is yet to take an international wicket but has made a lively start to the county season with Hampshire.
“He’s one of those clients who learns from difficult experiences,” McCullum said. “I think it strengthened him to be honest.
“We certainly didn’t judge it from that point of view. I think it was a good lesson for Sonny and I feel he has come back a better, stronger and more complete cricketer.”
Published in Dawn, June 3, 2026
