Often hailed as the “Home of Cricket,” Lord’s Cricket Ground in London has been the stage for countless iconic moments and legendary performances.
Among the most demanding roles in cricket is leading a team while delivering standout individual performances—especially with the ball. Very few captains have managed to strike that rare balance at Lord’s, but when they do, their feats become etched in cricketing folklore.
Here’s a look at the top five bowling performances by Test captains at Lord’s:
Table of Contents
5. Daniel Vettori – 5/69 vs England, 2008
New Zealand’s left-arm spinner and captain Daniel Vettori delivered a standout performance against England in 2008. On a pitch that traditionally aids seamers, Vettori used his guile and variations to claim 5 wickets for 69 runs. His leadership and intelligent bowling led a young Kiwi side with determination, putting up a strong fight against a powerful England team.
4. Gubby Allen – 5/42 vs India, 1936
In the first innings of the 1936 Test against India, England captain Gubby Allen showcased his brilliance with the ball, taking 5 wickets for just 42 runs. On uncovered pitches that were challenging to bowl on, Allen consistently hit the right lengths and made life difficult for the Indian batters, setting the tone for England early in the match.
3. Gubby Allen – 5/35 vs India, 1936
Remarkably, Allen returned in the second innings of the same match to grab another five-wicket haul—this time 5/35. His match figures of 10 wickets as captain remain one of the finest all-round captaincy displays at Lord’s, underlining his control, stamina, and impact in both innings.
2. Bob Willis – 6/101 vs India, 1982
England’s fiery pacer and captain Bob Willis delivered a commanding performance against India in 1982, taking 6 wickets for 101 runs. While slightly expensive, his relentless pace and aggressive tactics broke through India’s strong batting unit. His leadership with the ball helped England secure a 7-wicket victory.
1. Pat Cummins – 6/28 vs South Africa, 2025
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins etched his name in Lord’s history with a phenomenal spell during the ICC World Test Championship Final in 2025. He tore through South Africa’s lineup, taking 6 wickets for just 28 runs. Using the slope masterfully—echoing James Anderson’s advice to “pitch it up”—Cummins set the tone in a high-stakes final. It now stands as the best-ever bowling performance by a captain at Lord’s in Test cricket.
