The Marylebone Cricket Club, owners of Lord's, initiated a new tradition in the ongoing first Test between India and England.
Before the start of play, every day, an eminent cricketing personality will ring the bell in the pavilion, which will signify proceedings will commence in five minutes.
On the occasion of India's 75th anniversary of Test cricket, the MCC invited former Indian greats Sunil Gavaskar and Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi to ring the bell during the Test along with Sir Alec Bedser, who played his first Test for England at Lord's in 1946, former England all-rounder Ian Botham and Patrick Eager, an acclaimed cricket photographer, who is 'clicking' his 300th Test in the ongoing match.
All these legends have accepted MCC's invitation.
While Sir Alec did the honours on the first day, it is Gavaskar's turn on Day 2.
Pataudi, who captained India in 40 Tests, will ring the bell on the third day, with Botham and Eager following on the last two days respectively.
If bad weather prevents a prompt start, or if a whole day's play is lost, then the planned schedule will be reversed, said the MCC.
