Lord's Cricket Ground — The Home of Cricket Explained
Everything you need to know about Lord's Cricket Ground in London — its history, famous slope, iconic Long Room, and why it is called the home of cricket.
The Home of Cricket
Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London, is known worldwide as 'the home of cricket.' It has hosted international cricket since 1884 and is owned and operated by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodians of the Laws of Cricket. A Lord's Test is one of the most prestigious fixtures in any cricketer's career.
The Famous Lord's Slope
One of Lord's most distinctive features is its slope — the ground falls by approximately 2.5 metres (8 feet) from the Grandstand (Nursery End) to the Tavern Stand (Pavilion End). This creates different conditions for bowlers bowling uphill and downhill, and makes Lord's one of the most technically demanding grounds to play on.
The Long Room and Pavilion
The Lord's Pavilion is one of cricket's most iconic buildings, home to the Long Room through which players walk out to bat. MCC members traditionally line the Long Room as players pass through — creating one of sport's most atmospheric rituals. The Pavilion houses the Lord's museum containing cricket's most treasured artefacts.
The Ashes Urn at Lord's
The famous Ashes urn is kept at the Lord's museum. Despite being the trophy most associated with Ashes cricket, the urn itself never travels to Australia — it remains permanently at Lord's. Replica trophies are used in actual series play, while the original sits in the museum.
World Cup Finals at Lord's
Lord's has hosted multiple World Cup finals, most memorably the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand — decided by a boundary countback after a tied Super Over. It was one of the most dramatic matches in cricket history, played at the sport's most iconic venue.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Lord's called the home of cricket?
Lord's is called the home of cricket because it is owned by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which is the custodian of the Laws of Cricket and has been the game's administrative centre since 1787.
Where is the Ashes urn kept?
The original Ashes urn is kept permanently at the Lord's Cricket Ground museum — it never travels to Australia. Replica trophies are used in actual series.