- June 14, 2025
They call it the Home of Cricket, but Lord’s feels more like a stage where only the greats get remembered. For captains who bowl, it’s not about delivering spells; it’s about branding their legacy into the very soul of the sport. The Honours Board at Lord’s is not simply a list; it is a legacy that is etched into the walls of the Home of Cricket. And in the 2025 World Test Championship Final, Pat Cummins not only ran hot in a fiery spell, rather he was also tipped with gold.
When the Captain Becomes the Weapon
Captains generally earn their stripes through runs or strategic captaincy that will typically yield results. But when a captain arrives at the crease, takes the ball and attacks the opposition, it’s different. Pat Cummins’ 6/28 against South Africa in the WTC Final is not just a number; it’s a roar. Under the most intense scrutiny and pressure, Cummins ripped through the Proteas batting order to dismiss their captain, Temba Bavuma, for the best-ever Test bowling figures for a captain on Lord’s.
And what was special about it? The game scenario. Australia had posted a relatively unimpressive 212. South Africa could have seized the game quite comfortably. But Cummins had other plans—he went berserk, he decimated their top order, and turned the game around for Australia.
Gubby Allen’s Lord’s Triumph as Captain
Before Cummins was born and before aggressive cricket was even a word, Gubby Allen—England’s very own Gubby Allen—was already setting the benchmark. In that Test match against India in 1936, Allen didn’t take just one five-wicket haul. He took two 5/43 in the second innings and then 5/35 in the first innings. That’s 10 wickets in one match. As captain. At Lord’s. Just think about that.
Allen’s scalps included the great Vijay Merchant, and his contributions helped England to a convincing win. His ability to rise to the occasion in difficult moments, dominate the game with the ball, and lead his side through pressure situations established what I believe the essence of captaincy was back then: not only making choices, but making a decision and a difference with the ball in hand.
Honour Board Heroes: Vettori, Willis, and the Lord’s Effect
Daniel Vettori’s 5/69 in 2008 didn’t ultimately win a match, but it was gutsy and artistic. He burst through England’s middle order after a period of intelligent left-arm spin. The match ended in a draw, but he gained some notoriety not just for his figures, but also for the way he confused a good English side.
And then there was Bob Willis – the tall, fiery pace bowler for England – who took 6/101 against India in 1982. Cummins’ spell was like a bullet train, while Willis’ was like a slow train with a lot of inertia. After a massive follow-on, he essentially broke India’s resistance, and this evidences that a captain does not always need to lead by words – at times.
So, here’s a question – who will be next? The modern game has already given us young leaders like Ben Stokes, Jasprit Bumrah, and a fresh troop of leaders like Shaheen Afridi. Wouldn’t it be cool to see yet another name on the Lord’s Honours Board sooner rather than later?
Do you have a favourite captain to feature on this list? Or do you have memories of an unbelievable spell that gave you goose bumps? It is time to talk about cricket – for as history reminds us, at Lord’s, it is all just a spell away.
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