Wait, Did Roy Hodgson and Alec Stewart Just Become Lord's Most Unlikely Cricket Buddies?

By Lewis Barnett 12 July, 2025 6 mins read 277 Views

Okay, this is weird but also kind of brilliant.

I'm scrolling through cricket highlights from England vs India at Lord's yesterday, and suddenly there's Roy Hodgson - yes, the former England football manager - sitting right next to Alec Stewart like they're old mates at a pub quiz. The camera just casually pans over and there they are, two legends from completely different sports, watching Ben Stokes try to save England's bacon against India.

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How Did This Even Happen?

Look, I've been to Lord's maybe a dozen times over the years, and you see celebrities all teh time. But this pairing? Nobody saw it coming. Hodgson, who's 77 now and hasn't managed since leaving Crystal Palace in February 2024, looked genuinely relaxed for once. The man who spent four years (2012-2016) trying to make England football work was just... enjoying cricket. Wild.

Stewart, meanwhile, is practically Lord's royalty. Fifth-most-capped Test player in England history with 133 matches between 1989 and 2003. The guy's been in cricket backroom roles with Surrey forever, so seeing him there makes perfect sense.

But together? It's like finding your math teacher having drinks with your football coach.

The Internet Lost Its Mind (Obviously)

Twitter went absolutely mental when people spotted them. One person wrote "Legends only! What a duo" and honestly, fair point. Another said "It gives me, I think they call it, 'endorphins'" which made me laugh way too hard.

My personal favorite was "Lord's turning into a Hall of Fame hangout." Because yeah, it kind of was yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Actual Cricket Got Spicy

While everyone was obsessing over the unlikely friendship developing in the stands, Zak Crawley was having a proper row with India captain Shubman Gill down on the pitch. And when I say row, I mean Gill apparently cupped his hand and told Crawley to "grow some f***** balls."

God, cricket's gotten feisty.

The whole thing kicked off because England were doing everything possible to face just one over with six minutes left in the day. Crawley and Ben Duckett were re-marking their guards, chatting between deliveries, basically time-wasting like they were protecting a 1-0 lead in the World Cup final. Then Crawley called for the physio when Jasprit Bumrah's fifth ball hit his glove.

Smart? Maybe. Dramatic? Definitely. The Indians were furious, accusing him of faking it. As soon as the over ended, Crawley marched off with Indian fielders giving him grief all the way to the pavilion.

Tim Southee Had the Best Response

England's fast bowling consultant Tim Southee (remember him from New Zealand?) basically shrugged the whole thing off: "It was an exciting way to finish, showing a bit of energy at the end of a long day. But I'm not sure what they were moaning about given that Shubman Gill was lying down having a massage on the field yesterday."

Brutal. Absolutely brutal.

When asked about Crawley's finger, Southee smiled and said he'd be "assessed overnight and will hopefully be good to go in the morning." Translation: he's probably fine, but we're not telling India that.

Back to Our Unlikely Heroes

Honestly though, seeing Hodgson and Stewart together was the highlight for me. Two guys who've been through the absolute wringer representing England in their respective sports, just sitting there watching the next generation try to do the same thing.

Hodgson won 33 of his 56 matches as England manager - not terrible, but not great either. Stewart was part of that heartbreaking 1992 World Cup final team that lost to Pakistan. They both know what it's like to carry the weight of English sporting expectations.

Maybe that's why they looked so relaxed yesterday. No pressure, no media scrutiny, just two legends watching cricket at the most beautiful ground in the world.

Sometimes the best stories happen in the stands, not on the pitch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an umpire's role in cricket

An umpire has the responsibility of enforcing all the rules in cricket and adjudicating any on-field matter. This includes making decisions about whether a certain batsman should be out. It also involves signaling wides or no-balls. Two on-field officials work together, with one at the bowler’s end behind the stumps while the other is at square leg. To ensure that the laws of Cricket are applied consistently and fairly, the umpires rely both on their own judgment and experience. They also use technological aids for certain appeals like the Decision Review System.

How long lasts a normal game of cricket?

The duration can vary greatly. Three primary formats exist for the game. Test cricket, the longest form, can last up to five days. One Day International (ODI), matches are typically completed in a single game, with 50 overs for each team. Twenty20 (T20), which is a shorter format, can be completed in three to four hours. Each team plays a single inning of 20 overs.

How can the fielding team secure wickets using their strategy?

The fielding side develops different strategies to limit the run scoring of the batting team and take wickets. Bowlers use a mixture of pace, swing, seam movement, or spin to deceive the batsmen and create opportunities for dismissal. The captain carefully sets the fielding positions to attack by placing players in catching positions, or to defend by spreading out fielders so they cover more area. Bowlers and captains work together to plan and execute delivery plans based on batsmen's weak spots, match conditions and situational factors.

What do the terms 'bowled', 'caught', 'run out', and 'lbw' mean in cricket?

Cricket dismisses a batsman by using the terms 'bowled,' 'caught,' 'runout' and lbw. The bowler's delivery strikes the stumps without the batsman deflecting it. A fielder catches the ball before it touches the floor when the batsman strikes it. Run out occurs when the fielder hits the stumps while the batsman is still running to the crease. LBW is a term used when a batsman is in close proximity to the stumps. If the ball is hit by the batsman, it will not reach the stumps.

What is a "no ball" and a "wide ball" in cricket?

A 'no ball' is when a pitcher breaks the rules. This can include overstepping a front crease or bowling high full tosses above waist height. Wide balls are deliveries that are out of reach for the batsman and they can't score from them. Both a "no ball" and a "wide" will result in the batsman receiving extra runs.

Statistics

The highest partnership in Test cricket is 624 runs, set by Sri Lankan batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene against South Africa in 2006.
Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the most wickets in international cricket, with a staggering 1,347 wickets to his name.
Australia's Women's Cricket Team holds the record for the longest winning streak in ODIs, with 26 consecutive wins from 2018 to 2021.
Jos Buttler recorded the fastest one-day international century for England, taking just 46 balls against Pakistan in 2015.
In 1999, the Indian team set a Test match record for the most runs scored in a single day's play, putting up 588 runs against New Zealand.

External Links

How To

How to Understand Cricket Umpiring Signals

Understanding the cricket umpire's signals is vital for players, officials and spectators. These signals allow umpires to communicate their decisions regarding runs and boundaries. Learn the basics of signals, including the raised index for an out' decision. Also, learn how to raise both arms and wave your arms when you want a four' or a six'. Learn more complex signals, such as tapping the shoulder to indicate a "short run" or extending the leg for a "no ball". Knowing these signals enhances your understanding of and interest in the game.