A masterplan for home of cricket to move with the times

England Cricket / Paul Moon / 09 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

The MCC's Australian chief executive is proving to be a breath of fresh air as he leads the modernisation of Lords. Paul Moon heralds a new era of floodlights, bigger crowds and the end of gin and tonic.

If cricket was born in England then Lord's was the womb.

Lord's is a cricket ground in St John's Wood in London. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). It has long been seen as the 'Home of Cricket' and the game's spiritual 'headquarters'. Its importance is not merely historical. In practice it remains the most important single place in world cricket. It is the world's premier and most famous cricket ground of them all.

Lord's represent the embodiment of our marvellous game. It is a player's wildest dream to play there. For most cricketers it is the pinnacle of their career to play on this hallowed turf. History, inspiration, privilege and excitement fuses together to give the individual a mind blowing experience.

The famous walk from the dressing room, down the stairs, through the long room and the gate and onto the hallowed turf are very intimidating and can reduce a player to a quivering wreck. The pitch is idiosyncratic with no replica. The mystique and atmosphere add to the venue's charisma. Class players enjoy pitting their talent against these factors and few achieve. It is not a ground where you often get lucky, you have to get into the zone, relish the challenge and make things happen.

I have long advocated cricket moving with the times so as to safeguard and regenerate itself and Lord's is no different. History and tradition are cherished symbols but are not in conflict with progress so I welcome the new MCC initiative. This iconic venue must continue to modernise into a world-class stadium whilst preserving the golden jewel of tradition.

Since its bicentenary, in 1987, MCC has already spent over £50 million on improving Lord's. They are currently undertaking a 'masterplan' to see how they can improve it more. Detailed questionnaires were posted to 22,000 Full and Associate Members to help establish their views on a range of possible improvements at Lords.

News off the press reveals that Herzog & de Meuron have been selected to develop the Masterplan for the Ground. This world-renowned Pritzker Prize winning firm's work include the Allianz Arena, home to Bayern Munich. The Basel based practice's most high profile commission is the Beijing National Stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games. Their exciting stand design concepts stood out and helped them get the job.

The MCC will unveil its £250m plans for Lord's during next summer's second Ashes Test against Australia, with plans that include the redevelopment of a number of ageing stands. Currently holding 32,000 spectators there is obviously a need to increase that capacity. Access and the addition of retractable floodlights is also a priority more so than catering, the cricket school and laboratory.

Australian MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw is proving to be a breath of fresh air blowing away the smell of gin and tonic and through the stufy corridors of the antiquated machinery at St. John's Wood. Distributing bonhomie he is changing the complexion of an institution many regard as outdated.

In recent years the wicket at Lord's has been true and favouring the batsmen. There are adjustments to be made but a bias to the batting teams has been evident. The South African quickies will have to cope with the slope when bowling and this will be a feature of the game. Expect some pace and bounce from them.

Players are to be targeted. Pressure cooker cricket and personal grudges are about to re-surface. Real Test cricket is about to resume.

England play South Africa in the First Test at Lord's on Thursday 10th July 2008 and Betfair prices show: England [4.8] South Africa [2.88] and the Draw [2.18].