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

Kane Williamson’s Final Lord’s Bow

As Kane Williamson prepares for his last appearance at Lord’s, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia. During a press conference on Tuesday, the legendary batter realized that the upcoming first Test against England would be his final bow at the iconic ground.

A Career Spanning Over a Decade

Williamson first played at Lord’s in 2012, as an overseas signing for Gloucestershire in a Clydesdale Bank Pro40 fixture against Middlesex. Since then, he has had the privilege of playing at the ground several times, including four previous Tests and a first-class appearance for Yorkshire in 2014.

Last summer, Williamson signed a unique deal with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) that allowed him to play for both Middlesex and MCC Hundred side, London Spirit. This deal was a testament to his love for the game and his desire to continue playing at the highest level, even in the twilight of his career.

A Special Place to Play

Williamson has always been in awe of Lord’s, and it’s easy to see why. The ground is steeped in history and tradition, and the effort that goes into maintaining it is unparalleled. From walking out to the pitch through the long room to bumping into members and enjoying the iconic lunches, every experience at Lord’s is memorable.

‘It’s always a special Test,’ Williamson said of playing at Lord’s. ‘I think if you look over your career, you only get… well depends on how long you play for… but yeah, I’ve played for a while and you only get a handful of opportunities to come to Lords and play.’

A Record to Be Proud Of

Although Williamson’s record at Lord’s may not be as impressive as his overall career average, he has still managed to make his mark on the ground. He has his name on the honours board in the away dressing room, an accolade that eluded all-time greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.

In the summer of 2015, Williamson struck one of his 33 Test centuries, an impressive 132 in the summer’s opening Test. Although the match ended in a 124-run defeat, it was a memorable game of cricket that reignited interest in English Test cricket.

A Final Farewell

As Williamson prepares to bid farewell to Lord’s, he is determined to make the most of his final appearance. With six more lunches to enjoy, he is ready to savour every moment of his last Test at the iconic ground. ‘The honours board is something that people talk a lot about,’ Williamson said, recalling his century. ‘It was an amazing game of cricket too, to be fair. We ended up losing, but scored 700 runs and took 20 wickets – on any other day we’re pretty happy with that.’