Prince Philip pictured looking fighting fit at 95 as he opened Lord's cricket ground's new 25milli
PRINCE Philip was pictured looking fighting fit at 95 as he opened a new £25million stand at Lord's cricket ground.
The Duke was shown a selection of cricket bats through the ages, from an 1890s blade used by Albert Trott to a huge example now ruled illegal during his visit yesterday.
He looked at a baseball-style bat with a very long handle and said to former England captain Mike Gatting: "It's an offensive weapon."
The Duke also met primary school cricketers and other past England players when opened the new Warner Stand, originally built in 1958 and named after celebrated former England cricket captain Sir Pelham Warner.
It is the first phase of a major redevelopment project at Lord's in central London, famously the home of cricket, which is owned by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) - the guardians of the laws and spirit of the game.
As he officially opened the stand, the Duke joked that people were about to "see the world's most experienced plaque-unvieled".
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The Duke is believed to be the Royal Family's keenest cricket fan.
He was a talented player in his younger days and served two terms as MCC president in 1949 and 1974, and is an honorary life member.
On arrival at Lord's, Philip, wearing his red and gold MCC tie, chatted to senior members of the club in the pavilion's committee room.
He then walked on to the outfield where a group including Gatting and former England bowler Angus Fraser held a variety of bats, including a modern one and a replica of one used by ex-England captain David Gower in the 1980s.
The Duke was also shown a new pink ball which has been developed for both night and day matches and prototype stumps with retractable bails which are designed to reduce the possibility of injury from flying bails.
Gatting said after meeting Philip, who was invited to lunch in the new stand's restaurant: "He always seems to be very aware and interested in what's happening in the game.
"He's been a wonderful supporter of the MCC and the sport generally."
The Queen and Prince Philip are due to attend an Order of Merit service at 11.30am in London today.
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