Rohit Sharma became the first Indian man to score a hundred at Lord’s in ODI cricket on Sunday, etching his name in the famed honours’ board. However, several greats of the game have missed out - here’s an ODI XI of the cricketers who were unable to make a ton or take a five-wicket haul at the hallowed ground.
Sachin Tendulkar
The legend of the game ended his career with a truckload of runs across formats, with several records to his name. However, he failed to score a hundred at Lord’s in any format, registering a high score of 37 in the 12 innings he batted at the venue. In ODIs, Tendulkar played at Lord’s thrice, making 1, 14 and 30 across two series, in 2002 and 2007.
Sanath Jayasuriya
One of the most destructive openers in cricket history, Sanath Jayasuriya redefined ODI batting with his fearless approach at the top. He made over 13,000 runs in the format at a strike rate of 91.20, with 28 centuries. Yet, despite his prolific run-scoring career, a century at Lord's eluded him. He played four games at the venue in the format, making 51 runs at an average of 12.75, not even crossing 30 once.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is arguably the greatest ODI batter of all time, with a career built on consistency and an insatiable appetite for hundreds. He has 54 tons in the format, and averages over 45 in each country that he has played in. In England, he has played 36 ODIs, four of which were at Lord’s. However, the hundred eluded him, with Kohli signing off from Lord’s for possibly the last time with a knock of 74 on Sunday, his first fifty at the venue in international cricket.
Brian Lara
Lord's was one of the few iconic venues that never saw Brian Lara at his imperious best. Despite producing some of the greatest innings in cricket history and rewriting the record books on multiple occasions, the West Indies legend never even made a fifty at the ground in the five ODIs that he played there. He ended with 74 runs at 18.5, and even failed to register a triple-digit score in the longest format, where he averaged 21 in six innings.
Michael Bevan
No batter mastered the art of chasing quite like Michael Bevan. Renowned for his composure in tense run chases and ability to bat with the tail, he became Australia's go-to man in pressure situations. He ended with an ODI average of 53.58, then the highest in the format. However, he had a high score of 37* at Lord’s in the four ODIs he played at the venue.
MS Dhoni (wk)
Few cricketers have enjoyed a more decorated ODI career than MS Dhoni. From leading India to multiple ICC titles to establishing himself as one of the game's greatest finishers, he ticked almost every box during his illustrious career. The famous Lord's honours board, however, never featured his name for a century. Dhoni played three games at the Home of Cricket, making two fifties with a high score of 78*. He averaged 82.50 at the venue.
Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh established himself as one of the finest all-rounders in ODI cricket with his explosive batting and handy left-arm spin, playing starring roles in some of India's biggest triumphs, including finishing as the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup. Yuvraj also excelled against England, whether it was steering the run chase in the NatWest final in 2002 or hitting six sixes against Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Yuvraj played four ODIs at Lord’s, making 64*, 69, 9 and 28. He also picked up four wickets, including a three-for, but couldn’t get his name on the honours Board in any department.
Malcolm Marshall
Widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, Malcolm Marshall was the spearhead of the fearsome West Indies pace attack that dominated world cricket through the 1980s. Blessed with express pace, Marshall picked up 157 wickets in 136 ODIs at an average of 26.96. Yet, despite his consistency and match-winning prowess, his career ended without him ever registering an ODI five-wicket haul.
Shane Warne
Shane Warne changed the course of cricket by reviving the art of leg-spin and elevating it to new heights. The Australian mesmerised batters with his prodigious turn, drift and tactical brilliance, establishing himself as one of the game's greatest match-winners. Yet, despite claiming 293 ODI wickets at an average of 25.73, he picked up just one five-wicket haul in his career, at Sydney in 1996.
Glenn McGrath
McGrath's greatness lay in his relentless consistency. The Australian fast bowler picked up 381 wickets in 250 ODIs, averaging 22.02 in a career spanning 14 years. McGrath ended with seven five-wicket hauls, the fifth-most among all bowlers, but did not get one at Lord’s, where he claimed 14 wickets in six ODIs with best figures of 3-25.
Denis Lillee
Lillee's name is synonymous with fast-bowling excellence, with the Australian spearhead inspiring a generation with his pace, resilience and fierce competitive spirit, building an outstanding record in one-day cricket as well. Lillee played 63 ODIs, took 103 wickets and one five-for. He played four matches at Lord’s, picking up five wickets at 37.20.
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