‘You’re delaying my lunch’ – Williamson revels in final Lord’s bow

A Farewell to the Home of Cricket

As the cricket world turns its eyes toward the pristine turf of St John’s Wood, the atmosphere is tinged with a blend of anticipation and nostalgia. For Kane Williamson, the upcoming first Test against England marks a significant milestone: his final appearance at Lord’s. The legendary batter, who first stepped onto this iconic field in 2013, is set to earn his 110th Test cap this Thursday. During his pre-match press conference, when confronted with the reality of his impending final bow at the venue, Williamson offered a typically dry, humorous response: ‘Yeah it probably is, eh? And you’re delaying my lunch, which isn’t very good of you…’

A Long Association with NW8

Williamson’s relationship with Lord’s stretches back over a decade. His professional journey at the ground began in 2012 when he played for Gloucestershire in a Clydesdale Bank Pro40 fixture. Beyond his four previous Test matches, his first-class experience at the venue includes a stint with Yorkshire in 2014—a match famously remembered for Middlesex’s staggering chase of 472. Last summer, Williamson further deepened his ties to the ground by signing a unique deal with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), allowing him to represent both Middlesex and the London Spirit in The Hundred.

The Magic of the Long Room

When reflecting on what makes Lord’s so distinct from any other ground in the world, Williamson emphasizes the weight of tradition. ‘It’s always a special Test,’ he remarked. ‘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 compared to all other grounds.’

For the veteran, the rituals are as significant as the cricket itself. ‘Walking out to the pitch through the Long Room, bumping into a few members, and obviously the lunches are iconic. There are a number of things that are memorable here. But it is a special place to play, and I think everybody feels that their first time and also values every opportunity that they have.’

Honours Board Memories

While Williamson’s statistical record at Lord’s—averaging 32 across eight knocks—does not quite mirror his stellar career average of 54.58, he holds a distinction that even some of the greatest legends of the game, such as Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, never achieved: his name is etched onto the famous honours board in the away dressing room. This came in the summer of 2015, when he struck a brilliant 132 in the opening Test of the series.

Recalling that memorable match, which ended in a 124-run defeat for New Zealand, Williamson noted the unique challenges the venue presents. ‘The honours board is something that people talk a lot about,’ he said. ‘It was an amazing game of cricket too, to be fair. It was unique because it was a pretty good pitch and then, overheads came over and the lights came on, and all of a sudden it was really, really difficult. That’s some of the characteristics that you have here in particular in England with the Dukes ball. It was a memorable time some time ago, but I do remember it fondly.’

Looking Ahead

As Williamson prepares for his 110th Test, the future remains somewhat fluid. Operating without a national contract in the twilight of his storied career, and facing an uncertain international schedule beyond 2027, the batter is acutely aware of the privilege of this week. With several members of the current New Zealand squad visiting Lord’s for the first time, Williamson is relishing the opportunity to mentor the next generation while soaking in the atmosphere of the ‘Home of Cricket’ one last time. For the fans, watching him walk out to the middle at Lord’s will be a poignant reminder of one of the finest careers in modern cricket history.