Williamson glad to be back at ‘unique’ Lord’s for opening Test

LONDON: New Zealand’s Kane Williamson is relishing his return to Lord’s as the iconic stadium stages its 150th Test when the Black Caps take on England this week.

Lord’s, which has staged more Tests than any other venue, is cricket’s most historic arena and Williamson has no intention of taking his latest appearance there for granted.

“It’s always a special Test,” the batsman told reporters at Lord’s on Tuesday. “I’ve played for a while and only get 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’s their first time and they’re pretty excited at that prospect.”

Asked why playing at Lord’s, the headquarters of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in north London, was different to other grounds, the 35-year-old added: “I think the way they maintain 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 to all other grounds.

“And I mean, every ground is different. But walking out to the pitch through the Long Room [of the Pavilion], bumping into a few (MCC) members, and obviously the lunches are iconic.

“There’s a number of things that are memorable here, but it is a special place to play. And I think everybody feels it their first time and also values every opportunity that they have,” he said.

Williamson has scored over 9,000 Test runs at an average of 54.58 including 33 centuries.

While celebrated batsmen Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara all failed to score a Test hundred at Lord’s, Williamson got his name on the dressing room honours board with an innings of 132 back in 2015.

“I suppose the honours board is something that people talk a lot about,” said Williamson ahead of Thursday’s opening day of the first Test.

“A memorable time some time ago, but I do remember it fondly.”

Baker pushing for test debut

Meanwhile, England could hand a Test debut to fast bowler Sonny Baker when they face New Zealand in the series opener.

The 23-year-old is in contention to feature in England’s first Test since their 4-1 Ashes drubbing in Australia.

Josh Tongue and the recalled Ollie Robinson appear likely to take two of the seam-bowling places, leaving Baker vying with Gus Atkinson for a spot 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 is due to make his debut and an uncertain weather forecast could work in Baker’s favour if there is a prospect that overs might be 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’s going to be a cricketer that the country really gets behind.

“You can see he charges in and leaves everything out there. Some guys have a bit more of a rhythmical component to their style — I think Sonny is full noise.”

The former New Zealand captain said Baker had the ability to touch 90 miles (145 kilometres) per hour, with a skiddy bouncer.

“He’s an exciting proposition and, if it’s not in this Test, his time will come. If it is this Test, I’d expect him to do a good job,” he said.

“We’ll just work out whether we want that extra air speed, if all of a sudden it becomes 35 degrees and flattens out, or if we stick to what’s tried and tested at Lord’s and remain with the type of bowlers that will extract some movement with the overhead 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 customers that he learns from tough experiences,” said McCullum. “I think it strengthened him to be honest.

“We certainly don’t judge it from that point of view. I think it was a nice lesson for Sonny and I feel like he’s come back at a better, stronger, and a more complete cricketer.”

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026

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