New Zealand’s Lords of Lord’s - What it means to make the honours board

6-43, 2021

10-108 (match) and 6-50, 2013

Southee chose Lord’s to secure his first 10-wicket bag and underline his status as New Zealand’s premier strike bowler on the fourth morning. He personified rhythm and swing from the Pavilion end with Martin Guptill, Dean Brownlie and Brendon McCullum pouching catches at second slip, third slip and wicketkeeper respectively. His effort was in vain. New Zealand crumbled for 68 in their second innings and lost by 170 runs.

Eight years later, in the fourth of his five tests at Lord’s, Southee got on the honours board a second time. Southee and Kyle Jamieson took nine England wickets between them as the hosts were bowled out for 275 in reply to New Zealand’s first innings of 378. But rain ruined any chance of a Black Caps win. Southee secured his five-for when he dismissed England debutant Ollie Robinson for 42.

Southee is now the bowling coach for England - looking to avoid any Black Caps getting on the board this tour.

5-85, 2015

After taking 4-79 in the first innings, Boult was not to be denied in his second appearance at Lord’s. However it came in a losing effort after New Zealand was in the box seat. Boult got England opener Adam Lyth in the third over of the third innings and then didn’t strike again until the 125th over, the morning of the final day when captain Alastair Cook got a faint edge to Tom Latham, ending a match-winning 162. Boult then ran through the English tail to claim the five-wicket bag. But England had a 345-run lead and eventually dismissed the tourists later that day to secure victory by 124 runs.

Boult finished his career with 10 five-wicket bags - half of which were against England.

5-69, 2008

When Michael Vaughan was caught by James Marshall for 106 at deep mid-wicket, Vettori ensured every future player in the visitors’ dressing room would see his name. However, his leadership got the biggest tick. In the aftermath of Stephen Fleming’s retirement - Vettori was already captain - and Shane Bond’s Indian Cricket League ban, the skipper picked up man-of-the-match in a draw where his side had gone in underrated and, many suggested, underprepared on the back of the inaugural Indian Premier League.

Vettori also took 5-30 in an ODI at Lord’s in the Natwest Series final victory over West Indies.

6-77, 1999

Cairns was in his pomp whether it was the menacing run-up, aggressive follow-through or deceptive slower ball. The latter produced one of the ground’s more bizarre moments and a definitive one for the test when Chris Read ducked what shaped as a beamer but turned into a yorker. Read exited sheepishly and New Zealand went on to win by nine wickets.

11-169 (match), 6-76, 5-93, 1994

“The fact it was my first major performance on the international stage will always be special because it gives you belief. Being at the home of cricket made it extra special,” Nash told the Herald in 2015.

“Getting Graham Gooch was the best moment, he was the incumbent legend and had made a double century in the first test. He seemed indomitable. The thing I remember most was having amazing rhythm. My timing and jump felt perfect. Everything flowed.

“We went to a Kiwi-owned bar and partied but I didn’t need to drink, the feeling of achievement was enough. We did not win the test, bad light stopped play with about an hour to go needing two wickets, but it was really close.

“Blair Pocock pencilled it [the achievement] in [on the honours board] which we all got a serious reprimand for. I had been rooming with BP so we had talked each other through the match, so he was almost as stoked as I was and I think the moment got to him. The best thing I remember was singing Mr Jones by The Counting Crows with Blair back in the hotel. Every time I hear that song it reminds me of that moment.”

6-80, 1986

5-93, 1983

5-84, 1978

“Milestones are always significant - some more than others. To be on the board three times is special because it’s forever. It allows all other players who grace this wonderful ground to see former players’ successes and it may inspire them to put in that magical performance so they too can be recognised as part of an exclusive group. To be associated with so many other fine players is meaningful,” Hadlee told the Herald in 2015.

“No key periods really stick in my memory because we did not win any of those games. We were well beaten by seven wickets in 1978, lost by 127 runs in 1983 and in 1986 we drew but we won the series 1-0 - our first series win in England.

“There were no celebrations. There was a job to be done getting wickets. On those occasions my performances didn’t help generate a win but there was quiet personal satisfaction.”

108, 2022

At stumps on day two Mitchell was on 97 with Tom Blundell on 90 - and the new ball due in one over. No doubt restless sleep for the pair. But Mitchell didn’t wait long in the morning to raise his bat after driving Stuart Broad through extra cover and running three to complete the ton. He celebrated in style - with a big jump in the air.

“There are moments in your career that you look back really fondly on,” Mitchell said ahead of tomorrow’s test. “That little period was cool.

“To put us in positions to try and win test matches was the aim going into it.

“For me, it was about getting into my little bubble with Tom Blundell for most of those partnerships, trying to work together to get through little moments. That’s how we went about it.

“Personally, it was nice to have some success, but I’m also looking forward to this one now.”

Unfortunately for Blundell he fell four short of the honours board as the New Zealand innings fell apart around him when Mitchell’s dismissal was followed by Colin de Grandhomme and Kyle Jamieson in the same over. England went on to win the test by five wickets courtesy of a Joe Root ton - he has eight centuries at the ground with the most appearances as a batter on the board.

It kicked off a stunning tour for Mitchell who finished with 538 runs in the series with 190 and 62 not out in the second test at Trent Bridge followed by 109 and 56 at Headingley. Despite his Bradman-like batting, the Black Caps lost all three tests.

200, 2021

The second-highest score by a New Zealand batsman at Lord’s and one of the great test debuts.

A breakout summer in white-ball cricket shoehorned Conway in to open the batting in the first test, out of position. In 163 balls, Conway became the 12th Black Cap to score a ton on test debut, raised with a flick to the square leg boundary, but he wasn’t finished there. On 136 at stumps, Conway returned on day two, and batted superbly with the lower order and tail, and reached his double-century after lunch.

His was the second-highest score by a New Zealander on debut and the seventh-highest of all time. Eventually he was run out, when No 11 Neil Wagner called him through for a needless second run. He was an inch from mirroring Charles Bannerman’s feat of a century and carrying the bat on debut, achieved in 1877.

“It was a very special feeling,” Conway said ahead of this week’s test. “For starters, I didn’t think I’d ever play test cricket. To get the opportunity to make my debut at Lord’s was very special.

“I was so detailed in what I was trying to do each ball. I was trying to stay in the moment, trying to play the game in front of me, those were the keys.

“I was just wanting to do a job for the team, that was my main focus.”

132, 2015

With a vintage Williamson shot off James Anderson, guided down towards third man, he ran three for his 10th test century and first and only ton at Lord’s.

Along with Ross Taylor (62) and BJ Watling (61) and a whopping 67 extras, the Black Caps held a 134-run lead. However, they went on to lose the test by 124 runs. Lord’s hasn’t exactly been a happy hunting ground for Williamson, where he averages 32 and has failed to go by 15 in his last four test innings.

While Williamson’s name is etched on the honour’s board some noticeable Black Caps batters don’t feature - Ross Taylor, Stephen Fleming, Brendon McCullum and Tom Latham, the next names behind Williamson as New Zealand’s all-time runs scorers, are all absent.

101, 2008

“It was one of my career’s top three highlights,” Oram told the Herald in 2015.

“I remember we had played okay but still needed to battle hard on the last day to draw. We lost a couple early and then Brendon [McCullum] got smacked on the forearm and had to retire. That left Daniel Flynn (on debut) and me to bat for as long as we could, so there was really no time for scoring pressure.

“Ryan Sidebottom was bowling with the second new ball and had been getting me out for fun. Thankfully I got a couple of drives away and brought up my 100 with three down the ground.

“I was never a massive jumping, yelling celebrator, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t bloody happy. I was satisfied doing it against a very good English attack - James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Sidebottom - and also in the context of the game.

“I wasn’t present when it was etched in, but when we returned for an ODI a month later it was there. I had a photo next to it and was presented with a framed photo by the Lord’s guys, which was a nice gesture.”

101, 2004

“Without a doubt this was the most personally significant thing I’ve done. I was never that great at seizing the big moments but this was my only chance at Lord’s and I made the most of it. A Lord’s century against a good English side gives me something to smile about,” Richardson told the Herald in 2015.

“Normally I just felt relieved when I performed but this time I had a feeling of elation. It was like ‘blimey, I did it. It happened to me’. I think the period that sticks out was getting to lunch in the second innings. That is the point I started to think I had another shot rather than just backing up my first innings 93.

“I didn’t really celebrate. I was just so mentally shattered. We lost the game and I felt a little responsible for getting out soon after. The coach told me to have a few days off but I ended up just getting on the team bus to Leicestershire and hitting the nets again.

“I have never seen the board in person with my name on it. The room attendant writes your name on a piece of tape and puts it up immediately. They engrave it after the test.

“I sort of poo-pooed Lord’s in the lead-up but once we arrived and the significance of playing a test there began to hit home, the sense of occasion grew. The whole experience, not just the performance, will last with me forever.”

100, 1999

“For all who had gone before. My job was to be the rock, absorb pressure and ensure we established partnerships.

“Mentally, I was in a good space. I’d heard tales of the ‘Lord’s Slope’ and John Wright pointed out I’d batted eight hours against his Kent side at Canterbury on a slope.

“Chasing 60 for victory in the second innings, I was the lone wicket to fall but it seemed right that [captain] Stephen Fleming was at the crease when victory was secured. A special victory celebrated with a haka on the hallowed turf in front of the famous stand.”

100, 1990

Franklin secured himself an inscription with his only test century, putting on 185 in an opening stand with John Wright before the captain fell two runs short of his ton. Wisden records Franklin spending 45 minutes on 98 before reaching three figures in 309 balls with two off Devon Malcolm after batting for seven hours and 11 minutes.

106, 1986

142, 1994

“In 1986, it fulfilled a dream since I was 8.

“I was in the zone, batted six hours and never missed a ball. I met the Queen at tea on Friday, then sat 99 not out at lunch on Saturday. A single off [Phil] Edmonds into the offside and I was in heaven.

“I came back twice and was determined to be the only New Zealander to score two, achieved in 1994. That was my personal highlight, given I was down to one leg and my career was ending.”

123, 1978

Howarth reached his century by the end of the first day but, according to Wisden, was labouring. After the day’s play he commented: “I could not sleep last night because of illness and I concentrated on occupying the crease and not doing too much running about.”

The Surrey county pro’s effort was to no avail. New Zealand were dismissed for 67 in the second innings, their second lowest score at the ground, despite holding an innings lead of 50 runs.

175, 1973

105, 1973

105*, 1973

New Zealand endured a 24-year honours board drought, failing to register in 1958, 1965 and 1969. Then, on days two, three and four, Congdon, Burgess and Pollard all raised their bats as the tourists amassed 551 for 9 - which remains the Black Caps’ highest total at Lord’s. New Zealand had a chance to win with England 368 for eight, a lead of 70. However, Keith Fletcher’s 178 ensured England retained an unblemished record against the Black Caps.

206, 1949

Good enough to be on the honours board twice - as Donnelly made history to become the first New Zealander to reach a double century. Even better it was at the home of cricket in a team effort that enabled New Zealand to draw the test and the series.

Wisden describes it rather soberly: “At lunch, with the New Zealand total 160 for four, the game stood in an even position. Then Donnelly took complete control of the attack and, with most of the other batsmen giving him good support, the game swung round in New Zealand’s favour ... Donnelly was quite content to wait for the loose ball and batted much more cautiously than usual. He took three and a half hours to complete his first hundred, but on Tuesday he changed his style completely and in under an hour and a half he obtained 80 out of 112. Altogether, he batted five minutes short of six hours, and his 206, made out of 347, contained 26 fours.”

120, 1931

104, 1931

Dempster and Page inspired a tenacious recovery. New Zealand started their second innings with a 230-run deficit to the hosts in their first test in England. Dempster and Page formed a 118-run third-wicket partnership and Page continued in a 142-run stand with Roger Blunt (96). New Zealand declared at 469 for nine and set England 240 to win on the third (and final) day. They fell 94 runs short and the match was drawn.

2022 - Tim Southee 4-55

2022 - Kyle Jamieson 4-79

2022 - Tom Blundell 96

2015 - Trent Boult 4-79

2015 - Matt Henry 4-93

2013 - Tom Southee 4-58

2008 - Brendon McCullum 97

2004 - Mark Richardson 93

2004 - Brendon McCullum 96

1994 - Bryan Young 94

1990 - Danny Morrison 4-64

1990 - John Wright 98

1973 - Hedley Howarth 4-144

1965 - Richard Collinge 4-85

1958 - Johnny Hayes 4-36

1958 - Tony MacGibbon 4-86

1949 - Tom Burtt 4-102

1937 - Jack Cowie 4-118

1937 - Alby Roberts 4-101

1931 - Bill Merritt 4-104

1931 - Roger Blunt 96