The Lord’s Cricket Ground, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket,” has witnessed countless legendary performances over the years. However, despite the illustrious careers of many great batters, some have surprisingly never managed to score a Test century at this iconic venue.
Here, we explore five legendary batters who have left their mark on the game but have not etched their names on the Lord’s honors board.
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5. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. Over his illustrious career, he amassed a staggering 13,289 runs in Test matches at an impressive average of 55.37, including 45 centuries.
However, his record at Lord’s is a stark contrast. Kallis played three Tests at this historic ground, where he could only muster 54 runs across five innings, with a highest score of just 31. His average of 10.8 at Lord’s is a testament to the challenges he faced, making it surprising that such a prolific batsman could not achieve a century there.
4. Brian Lara
Brian Lara, often hailed as one of the finest batters of the modern era, holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket, with 400 not out. Throughout his career, he scored 11,953 runs at an average of 52.89, including 34 centuries. Yet, at Lord’s, he struggled to replicate his success.
In six Tests, Lara scored only 126 runs, with a top score of 54, leading to an average of 22.66. His inability to convert his talent into a century at this revered ground remains a notable blemish on an otherwise stellar career.
3. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting, one of Australia’s most successful captains and batsmen, scored 27,483 runs across all formats, including 71 international centuries. Despite his dominance in cricket, Ponting’s record at Lord’s was disappointing.
He played nine innings at the venue, accumulating just 135 runs with a highest score of 42, averaging 16.87. This underwhelming performance at such a prestigious ground is surprising for a player of his caliber, further emphasizing the unpredictability of cricket.
2. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar, a legendary opening batter and a pioneer in Indian cricket, is celebrated for his remarkable technique and resilience. He scored 10,122 runs in Test cricket, including 35 centuries.
However, at Lord’s, Gavaskar’s highest score was only 59, achieved in 1979, and he played a total of five Tests at the venue, managing just two half-centuries. Despite his illustrious career, the absence of a century at Lord’s is a notable aspect of his legacy, especially considering his significant contributions to the game.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar, often referred to as the “God of Cricket,” holds numerous records, including 100 international centuries and 15,921 runs in Test matches. However, even this cricketing deity could not secure a Test century at Lord’s.
Across nine innings in five Tests, Tendulkar scored 195 runs, with a highest score of 37. His struggles at Lord’s are particularly surprising given his success in other English venues, highlighting the unique challenges posed by this historic ground.
Like Gavaskar, Tendulkar did score a century at Lord’s, but it was in a non-Test match for the MCC against the Rest of the World, which does not count towards his Test records.
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