Elusive Lord's honour boards

It’s cricket’s holiest site, the universally recognised home of the sport, and the venue that has hosted more Test matches than any other ground.

Famously, those to have scored a Test century or taken five wickets in a Test innings at Lord’s Cricket Ground have their name etched onto the esteemed Long Room honours boards. 

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On Saturday, Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara added his name to an ever-growing list of those to have achieved one of the two feats at the venue, scoring 147 in his side’s first innings against England.

It was the 36-year-old’s fourth match – and seventh innings – at the ground. 

“It was something I always wanted to do,” Sangakkara said of his special milestone.

“It’s a very special place to play your cricket and get on the honours board.”

Good friend and fellow Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardene was out in the middle when Sangakkara reached three figures.

“When he got his hundred he turned to me and said, ‘I ticked that box’,” Jayawardene said.

“I‘m really proud of him. The only thing I told him before the match was not to worry about the hundred.

“The way he has gone about his cricket in the last eight years is amazing – no-one would say anything even if he did not get it.

“It will probably be the last time he bats here.”

The honours boards take on even greater significance when you stop to consider the legends who haven’t had their name added to either list.

Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara – all regarded as among the finest batsmen of the modern era – never scored a century at the venue.

Rattle through the records and you won’t see Australian legends Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Ian Chappell, Neil Harvey or Bill Ponsford. 

Among the bowling fraternity, Shane Warne, Muthiah Muralidaran and Curtly Ambrose are nowhere to be seen.

Nor are Aussie greats Lee, Lillee, Thomson or Benaud.

Australia next play at Lord’s in the 2015 Ashes, where a new generation of players will get the opportunity to add their name to the honours boards or, in the case of Michael Clarke and Ryan Harris, earn a second mention on one of cricket’s most prestigious lists.