Kane Williamson on Lord's 'Always a special Test'
Black Caps great Kane Williamson says this week's first Test against England is likely to be his last at the home of cricket.
The match at Lord's will be Williamson's fifth Test at the famous London ground which is the home of the Marylebone Cricket Club.
"Always a special Test," Williamson said on the eve of the game.
"If you look over your career you only get a handful of opportunities to come to Lord's and play and have the experience that you have here."
Williamson has played four previous Tests at Lord's and it hasn't always been a happy hunting ground for the former captain and the Black Caps.
In 2013, he scored 60 and 6 as New Zealand was beaten by England by 170 runs. New Zealand was bowled out for just 68 in their second innings.
Williamson got on the MCC honours board in 2015 with a century, but England again came out on top, this time by 124 runs.
Despite his recent lack of runs, Williamson said Lord's was always a place he enjoys going back to.
"The way they maintain the tradition is quite special, it's unique to Lord's, the history that surrounds it. You come here and notice those differences to all other grounds.
"Walking out to the pitch through the Long Room, bumping into a few members and obviously the lunches are iconic.
"It is a special place to play and I think everybody feels it their first time and values it at every opportunity they have."
It is not just Test level cricket that Williamson has experienced at Lord's having played County Cricket in England since 2011 and was a member of the Middlesex club in 2025.
Spinner Shoaib Bashir has been included in the England squad for the match along with uncapped seamer Sonny Baker.
Despite the return from injury of spinner Mitchell Santner, New Zealand could go into the game with an all pace attack of Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke along with either Nathan Smith or Blair Tickner.
The match starts on Thursday followed by Tests at The Oval and Trent Bridge.