Sparrows, Ashes and Irish Cricket at Lords

History was made yesterday at Lords Cricket ground when Cricket Ireland’s finest pulled on their Ireland Cricket jersey to face England in the first ever Test match against their nearest neighbours.

 

Ed Joyce was given the honour of ringing the traditional Pre match bell five minutes prior to the start of play. A fitting choice for the Irish cricketer who represented both Ireland and England.

 

What a day it was. A magical morning of Irish bowling had the hosts all out for 85 – England’s 9th lowest return in a home test. Cricket Ireland’s Tim Murtagh, who, following his 5 wickets will have his name etched on the honors board at Lord’s said yesterday’s events were ‘As special as it gets’. Ahead of the action today, Ireland currently hold a 122 run lead having finished up yesterday evening on 207.

 

It marks another landmark in Cricket Ireland’s rapid growth. Indeed what a week it has been for Irish sport. Following Shane Lowry’s epic win at Portrush the sporting eye moved on from one famous sporting institution - The Open - to another in Lord’s.

 

It has taken many runs to get to this point with steady progress since 2007 led by the superb efforts led by Warren Deutrom. Once again, and perhaps more so following yesterday’s events, there will be a lot of emotion today when Ireland captain William Porterfield from Donemana in Tyrone leads his team down the famous steps and on to Lords magnificent sward.

 

For the uninitiated, the initiated and the curious about cricket here’s a few things to know if you’re at the famous old ground this week or watching on television or on your device at work.

 

The MCC and Lords

Lords is the home of the Marylebone Cricket Club, the MCC. One of London’s great institutions. The members are distinguishable by their yellow and pink ‘bacon and eggs’ suits, ties and hats. The colours would make a glorious O’Neills Jersey we think, but that’s for other days. The MCC are to this day the custodians of the rules of cricket worldwide. 

 

To get the full flavor of cricket, nothing compares to experiencing a cricket Test match and if you’re going to do it, the best place to see cricket at its best is Lords. And watching Ireland makes it so much better.

 

The Marylebone Cricket Club played their first match at Lords in 1814 after playing on various other locations. The ground is to be found in north west London, named after Thomas Lord.

 

In had its first Test match in 1884 when England played Australia. To this day that game is still played at Lords. It is a place soaked in tradition. For example the annual cricket match between Eton and Harrow is played there, the contest between these two of England’s most famous private schools is one of the longest-running annual sports events in the world.

 

The Lord’s Hum

The atmosphere at Lords is unique with the ‘Lords Hum’ providing the backdrop to the on field action. This is the low level but consistent hubbub and noise that permeates the ground as a match continues. It is nothing less than the constant chat, conversation and general craic of the assembled crowd that contributes to the unique atmosphere. It’s not that folks aren’t paying attention, in fact the opposite, they are, but also discussing the issues of the day. So this week’s contribution to the ‘Lords Hum’ could be deliberations on Boris Johnson, Brexit, Shane Lowry’s win at the Open, Iranian oil tankers and Limerick’s prospects on Saturday. And of course the cricket.

 

Ah yes, the cricket. At Lords you know the Cricket cognoscenti know and understand the fact that the natural slope of the ground makes it easier for swing bowlers to move the ball away from right-handed batsmen coming from the Nursery End. It’s a bit like playing downhill with the wind.

 

Sparrows and Ashes

Lords is a treasure trove of the history of cricket since it started in the eighteenth century. Among the artefacts and historic items held there are the original Ashes urn, the and fragile item that rarely leaves its Lord’s home and is the prize for the winners of the Ashes series between England and Australia. Also on show the stuffed sparrow mounted on the ball which killed it mid-flight in 1936, literally bowled out by India’s Dr. Khan.

 

Indeed speaking of Australia and Lords, it is the Aussies most successful away venue - the rarely lose there. Prior to the 2009 defeat to England, Australia hadn’t lost a Test at Lord’s since 1934. Perhaps Ireland can take a leaf from their antipodean relatives book and start their own tradition at Lords.

 

Congratulations and good luck to Cricket Ireland from all at O’Neills.