England, New Zealand To Battle It Out For The Long-elusive Crown

It promises to be a gripping contest between Williamson’s bowlers and Morgan’s big-hitters on the hallowed Lord’s turf

- K.C. VIJAYA KUMAR

England, cricket’s birthplace, seeks its biggest moment under the sun very appropriately at a venue steeped in history. Lord’s has its iconic red-brick pavilion and even the walls have gravitas and feature stunning lines, like the following one from W.G. Grace: “The great thing in hitting is, not to be half-hearted about it; but when you make up your mind to hit, to do it as if the whole match depended upon that particular stroke.”

The ‘home of cricket’, as Lord’s is referred in brochures, nameplates and its Twitter account, has its quirks ranging from a turf that gently slopes besides a ghastly space-ship styled press box which doesn’t blend with the prevailing aesthetics. There is irony too as one of its access points has a black and white picture of Sunil Gavaskar and this after the great opener was once barred entry at the Grace Gates by overzealous Marylebone Cricket Club stewards!

Advantage England