Former England captain Mike Gatting has thrown his support behind the hosts ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup, believing the current team is the strongest he has ever seen.

Romford Recorder: The Duke of Edinburgh (left) is shown a number of bats by Mike Gatting (right) during a visit to Lord's (pic Arthur Edwards/PA)The Duke of Edinburgh (left) is shown a number of bats by Mike Gatting (right) during a visit to Lord's (pic Arthur Edwards/PA) (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Gatting was speaking ahead of starting his new role as a guest host on the Lord's Cricket Ground's Tours and Experiences, for which he is well equipped after a Middlesex career that spanned two decades and an international career which saw him play 79 Test Matches and 92 One-Day Internationals for England.

He said: "We had some decent cricketers in my day but the current England team has played much more one-day cricket together and they have players from almost one to seven who can really hurt you.

"They are a team who should be capable of handling anything."

Gatting will be showing guests his favourite parts of Lord's and sharing memorable stories of his experiences playing the game, coaching and commentating, and now chairing the MCC World Cricket committee.

He reveals the dressing rooms are his favourite places in the ground, adding: "I spent a lot of time there. When I used to travel around the country playing in the 70s, coming back to Lord's was always incredible.

"You had proper towels, the showers were fantastic, the viewing facilities were great and you had a dressing room attendant who would look after you. For me as a young kid, to have a dressing room with sofas and space to lounge about was brilliant.

"I spent many happy times in there after cup finals and England matches - the dressing room was like a home lounge and you were spending time with your team who were your family.

"The other place I spent a lot of time was the dining room. It was an amazing place, like eating in a London restaurant every day of the week. Sunday lunch was a big affair before we went out to play - it shouldn't have been, but it was!

"The physio's room is also a favourite of mine - that's where I was offered England captaincy in in 1986."

Gatting will be hosting the Beyond the Boundary Tour on May 18where guests get to experience the famous walk from the dressing room, through the Long Room and onto the pitch, see inside the iconic JP Morgan Media Centre and have a fully guided tour of the MCC Museum and Pavilion.

"I love that I have the opportunity to share Lord's with others," added Gatting.

"To share what I've had the opportunity to be part of for over 25 years and to help people understand why I think it's such a special place is very exciting for me. I always felt like Lord's was our home - I was so proud to play there.

"Lord's has changed massively over the years and it's always striving to be the best in the world so to be able to show it off and share my own stories and experiences with others is brilliant.

"The hosted tours are a lovely add-on to the tours that are already running at Lord's with fantastic tour guides."

Former England and current Somerset player Marcus Trescothick will host the Player's Dining Room Tour on June 17. To find out more and book a place visit lords.org/tours.