Lord’s Cricket Ground — the “Home of Cricket” — is not just any stadium. This shrine holds the golden honours boards, immortalizing legends who achieved greatness in Test cricket. Now, join Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s explosive fast bowler, in a club all players would adore to be in; only two players have their names written on the home and away dressing room honours boards at Lord’s. One solitary player has achieved this before. You intrigued? Let’s investigate this unique piece of cricket trivia and the essence behind it being more than just a little statistic.
The Honour of the Boards
First things first, let’s discuss the significance of these boards. At Lord’s, making a century or taking a five-for in a Test match not only gets you a round of applause or a high five: it gives you one of these boards. The home dressing room honour’s board commemorates achievements by players who play for England or who are playing a match considered “home” at Lord’s, and the away board commemorates achievements of players representing visiting teams. After the boards were redesigned in 2018, because there were no neutral Tests, the distinction is clearer and arguably even more special.
Rabada’s achievement is remarkable because he is now listed on both boards, like having been honored by two rival teams at the same famous venue. His 5-52 for South Africa in 2022 gave him a position on the away board, and his 5-51 in the World Test Championship final—played at Lord’s with South Africa technically the “home” side—gave him a place on the home board. An unexpected quirk born from fate and the luck inherent in cricket.
Gordon Greenidge and the Story Behind the Stats
Gordon Greenidge, a West Indies legend, is the only other cricketer to achieve this double distinction, but he also now contributes an interesting twist to the trivia. Greenidge was selected for the away board, having scored an unbeaten 214 and a century in the 1980s against England. Interestingly, he also finished on the home honours board after scoring 122 for the MCC against the Rest of the World in 1987, in what was truly a home match. Both of these examples illustrate some of the quirks of cricket history and the nature of the traditions associated with Lord’s, where some matches – in particular those involving the MCC – ignore the home/away definitions.
And now Rabada has that unusual title too, uniting two players from different eras, continents, and cricketing backgrounds. It is arguably a case of skill and circumstance, a fantastic performance which was only possible due to the quirks of cricket, the scheduling of matches, and traditions.
Why This Trivia Matters Beyond the Stat Sheet
Yes, I suppose this might be categorized as “random cricket trivia”, and yet the principal implication is more complicated. First, it highlights how the richness, traditions, and subtleties of the game continue to make it fun, engaging, and interesting even for the long-suffering fans. It reaffirms that there is much more to the sport than just runs and wickets; the depth of history and quirks and stories offer layers and layers of engagement.
Moreover, it demonstrates how contemporary cricket is still able to tell new stories within historic venues. Even though it was strange for the WTC Final to be at Lord’s with South Africa being the home team, Rabada’s performance that day under pressure represents the start of a legacy for him. It is also a pivotal moment for South African cricket, as they once again further established themselves as one of cricket’s top teams from a historical venue.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
ENG vs IND 2025: Predicting top 3 performers from England for 2nd Test
Flashback – India’s first Test at Edgbaston
OTD: Sir Richard Hadlee was born in 1951
OTD: Harbhajan Singh was born in 1980
