The Shades of St Lawrence Lime
Kent cricket ground is always special. They had a supporter who always appreciated the glowing drives, wristy flicks or an outstanding catch from the deep. Never missed a single match at St Lawrence Ground since the inception in 1847 till 2005. It was a 27-metre-high lime tree (90 ft) which was located within the boundary ropes. It made the St Lawrence Ground one of the unique grounds in the world.
LimeStory:
The St Lawrence Ground was established in 1847 on farmland owned by the fourth Baron Sondes. The tree was already pre-existed when the ground was built and approximately 40 years old by then. The ground was created around the tree. However, special laws were implemented because the lime tree was situated inside the boundary ropes.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Laws:
If the ball hit the tree, then it was considered as four runs even if it would have gone on to score six. No batsman could be caught out from a rebound off the tree.
Colin Cowdrey:
Colin Cowdrey wrote in his autobiography, “If I was given a choice as my last act on earth, it would be to walk to the wicket on the lovely St Lawrence Ground in the sunshine, with the pavilion chattering and the small tents buzzing. I would then lean into a half volley just outside off stump, praying that the old timing still lived in the wrists to send it speeding down the slope past cover’s left hand to the old tree for four.”
W.G. Grace’s Connection:
W.G. Grace loved to play at St Lawrence Ground. He scored 334 in 1876 at St Lawrence Ground. It remains the highest individual score on the ground. He also took all ten wickets in an innings at the same ground.
Memorable Knocks:
The lime tree had seen some of the great cricketing knocks played by the legends of the game like Colin Blythe, Frank Woolley, “Tich” Freeman, Colin Cowdrey, Alan Knott, Derek Underwood over the years. However, only four players, Arthur Watson, Learie Constantine, Jim Smith and Carl Hooper, managed to hit the ball over the tree.
The Stump:
The tree was diagnosed with heartwood fungus in 1999 and given an expected lifespan of 10 years. Due to high winds the trunk broke in two on 7 January 2005.It killed the 200-years-old tree and left 7 feet (2.1 m) stump. Mementos were created from the wood and sold to supporters.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Replacement:
A new lime tree was planted as a replacement outside of the playing area in 1999.It still stands just outside the boundary.
“Not just a tree, not just a lime, but Kent’s own icon, set in time.” Memories linger on.