A cricket ball that killed a bird remains at Lord's museum

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 6:30 AM

Last updated Sep 10, 2026

A cricket ball that killed a bird remains at Lord's museum
Summary

On July 3, 1936, a cricket match at Lord's between Cambridge University and the MCC resulted in an unusual incident involving a sparrow. Indian fast bowler Jahangir Khan delivered a ball that struck and killed the bird in mid-air while bowling to batsman TN Pearce. Despite the collision, the delivery remained in play, and the bird fell against the stumps without dislodging a bail. The sparrow was subsequently stuffed and mounted on the ball that killed it, becoming a permanent exhibit in the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum. Conservationists at London's Natural History Museum conducted an examination of the artifact in 2020, identifying the bird as a young adult male and performing repairs to ensure its preservation. This exhibit has rarely left the ground, with only two recorded trips away from the museum since its inception.

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By the Numbers
  • Jahangir Khan struck a sparrow during a 1936 match at Lord's.
  • The bird was mounted on the match ball and placed in the MCC Museum.
  • Natural History Museum experts restored the artifact in 2020.
  • The sparrow has only left Lord's twice since being placed on display.
Latest Updates
  • 6:30 AMYahoo SportsIn 1936, an Indian fast bowler's delivery killed a bird at Lord's. The bird was stuffed and mounted on the same ball and now sits in the MCC Museum
What they're saying
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Every corner of Lord's Cricket Ground has a story. Since opening in 1814, the venue in London's St John's Wood has become one of cricket's most iconic grounds. Generations of cricketers have played here, and many of the game's most memorable moments have unfolded on its field.

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