Teams raise their game while playing at Lord's: Gower

The action now shifts to Lord's after the first England-India Test ended in a draw at Trent Bridge. The venue is widely referred to as the Home of Cricket and is also home to the world's oldest sporting museum. The ground was established 207 years ago and celebrated its two hundredth anniversary in 2014.

Former England captain David Gower spoke to Cricket.com and shared some of his finest memories of the famous venue.

"When you first go to Lord's as a player, this is one of the great things for any generation, you go there and sit there, you will still get to know about the ghosts of the past. The great names of England, Australia, India, West Indies, and teams from all around the world and this country have used these dressing rooms for more than 100 years. So, you have that sort of aura," said the 64-year-old.

"You have all these lovely stories of people coming here for the first time... David Steele (former England all-rounder) somewhere around 1975 or 77 walked down as an experienced cricketer, walked down way too many stairs, and ended up in the basement. He had to come back to the main stairs and then get on to the field.

"There are such quirky things that have happened in the past but when you walk out at Lord's, I remember this vividly, when you walk out at Lord's to a full house, you have around 30,000 people. All of their eyes are on you and it's a lovely atmosphere. If it's a nice sunny day, it's a glorious place to be at. The visiting teams also appreciate this venue. They kind of get inspired by the venue and raise their level of the game.

"England will have a proper determination to try and get into the series. It's a great opportunity for everyone involved. I think the players just love being here."

Talking about the Honours Boards and the entire structure, Gower said: "You are on the board forever. I think lots of people who are there, must be proud of it and rightly too. You will be on the pages of wisdom forever. Something as physical as the Lord's Honours Boards in the corridor, it's a great achievement.

"The people who have never been to Lord's, apart from the actual structure of the pavilion, it is full of brilliant artwork. I am there somewhere hidden at the back, no doubt. The great players I have played with and against and many more from the previous and current generations... There are poetries everywhere. Magnificent art collection and you have also got a fine museum. There is so much history around you.  

"The players in this game this week, if you walk down from the Indian dressing room, there is this amazing modern portrait of Sir Vivian Richards. It's awesome, I can tell you. And then you get onto the field and that buzz hits you. That's why people always talk about Lord's."

The final day of the first Test was washed out and the two teams had to settle for a draw. The second Test will start on Thursday (August 12).