Players And Fans Will Miss Day Out At Lord's

Most of the fulminating and sense of grievance will come from those venues wanting an Ashes Test but not getting one. Yet, the biggest disappointment in the latest round of major match allocations, at least to the players, is the loss of the Lord’s one-day final.

- Derek Pringle

Once a pearl in the summer calendar, or two in the days of 55 and 60-over competitions, the Lord’s final has been shifted north by the England and Wales Cricket Board. From 2020 until at least 2024, it will be held at Trent Bridge, a move that looks suspiciously like a sop – the Nottingham ground having not been awarded an Ashes Test for 2023.

A day out at a Lord’s final, whether for players or supporters, was often a career highlight. I played in four of them, three Benson & Hedges and one NatWest Trophy, and the sense of occasion was huge, spine-tingling even. The fact that I was on the winning side just once is, of course, a major source of regret, though it did not detract much from them being high points in a county career that also included five Championships and three John Player League titles.

Much of that grandeur will remain but Lord’s added a sheen and cachet that Trent Bridge, fabulous ground that it is, cannot hope to match, and that is a shame for both players and supporters.