For cricket enthusiasts, a visit to Lord’s is more than just a day at the cricket; it is the culmination of dreams nourished over countless hours spent watching games unfold on television.
The iconic ground, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket,” is steeped in history and offers an array of unique features, from the Father-Time weather vane to the Members Pavilion and the futuristic Media Centre. Yet, nothing captivates bowlers’ minds like the revered Lord’s slope, a challenge that can make or break a game.
“It is indeed a real thing,” explained former Proteas bowling coach Vincent Barnes in an exclusive interview with Independent Media. “The sheer size of it stuns you when you see it for the first time, especially if you are a bowler who hasn’t bowled there before.
“Even when you have been away for a while, and you go back there, it’s something new to you and takes a while to adjust.
“As I hadn’t played at Lord’s, I always did plenty of research prior to our tours to England, calling out someone like Shaun Pollock, and he would give me plenty of advice. But definitely, the slope is a real thing.”
The famed slope has once again become a focal point of consideration as the Proteas prepare to face Australia in the World Test Championship final next month at Lord’s.
Coach Shukri Conrad underscored the significance of this unique pitch feature when he announced his squad, which includes the return of seasoned fast bowler Lungi Ngidi.
“I genuinely believe someone like Lungi can be a massive asset for us there,” Conrad stated. “Whether it’s up the slope or down the slope, his height and ability to extract bounce can prove to be a game-changer.”
Barnes elaborated on the importance of familiarity with the slope, as it plays a decisive role in determining bowlers’ strategies.
“I wanted the bowlers to get a good feel of what side they wanted to bowl, how it works,” he said.
“We had Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini. Two entirely different bowlers. The one would bring the ball back into a left-hander and the other one take it away from a left-hander.
“And the advice was that they should bowl from the other side to try to bowl into the slope instead of with the slope, especially Makhaya.
“Because Makhaya, I mean, just on a normal strip could bowl at middle and off and you can leave him because he takes the ball away from you.
“In that game, Dale felt that he wanted to bowl from that end and Makhaya bowled from the Pavilion end. And that first session was quite frustrating because they just left.
“They only swapped around after lunch and it was much better. I’ve always felt, especially when the ball’s new and there’s swing, I’ve always felt that you should be bowling into the slope.
“Swing the ball away and the ball straightens. Because otherwise, batters just leave you.”
While the Proteas boast a pace arsenal that includes the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who have been excellent at Lord’s before, Barnes feels the experienced Dane Paterson could prove to be the trumpcard.
“Patto becomes a vital member of that attack on that surface,” he said. “I mean Pato is probably the most experienced bowler if he’s going to be selected.
“He knows exactly what to do at Lord’s. I know he hasn’t got the pace, but he plays at Middlesex and is an excellent bowler that knows just what is needed.”
