The first Test of Ashes 2009 was played at the Sophia Gardens. Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne was playing the role of a pundit after retiring from international cricket in 2007. Warne was not at all happy about the decision as he wanted Lord’s to host the first match of an iconic series such as this.
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Ashes 2005 is considered to be one of the best-ever cricketing series. Lord’s hosted the first match of that series and Australia won that match by 239 runs. Warne picked six wickets in that game. In the very same Test, former English batter Kevin Pietersen made his debut and scored half-centuries in both innings.
Lord’s is called the ‘Mecca of Cricket’ and it has its very own significance. The ground has its legacy and there is even a dress code for the spectators to enter the venue. Warne wanted the first match of Ashes 2009 to be played here because the opening Test creates a buzz and there are very less stadiums that can match the atmosphere of the ‘Home of Cricket’.
Shane Warne Slammed ECB For Not Hosting 1st Ashes 2009 Test At Lord’s
Talking to The Guardian in 2009, Warne slammed the ECB (England & Wales Cricket Board) for giving Cardiff the first Test of the series. He called it a “disgrace” and believed that it was a shocking call. The leg-spinner was adamant that this venue cannot ever match the vibe of Lord’s
“How Cardiff gets the first Test match in the Ashes is just a disgrace.”
“I don’t know how they get that, I really couldn’t believe that. The Lord’s Test match should always be number one. The buzz around Lord’s [in 2005] was amazing. The lead-up to the Ashes series was phenomenal.”
The match ended in a draw where England’s duo of James Anderson and Monty Panesar stitched a famous match-saving partnership for the 10th wicket.
Shane Warne Record at Lord’s
Warne played four Tests in his career at Lord’s. He scalped 19 wickets in those games at an average and strike rate of 19.48 and 49.68 respectively. 4/57 was his best spell and these are not bad numbers considering the pace-friendly nature of the track there.
Talking about ODIs, he grabbed eight wickets in four games at an economy of 5.08. After his unfortunate demise last year, the Sky commentary box at the ground was renamed after Warne.
