FANS were left stunned after seeing former England manager Roy Hodgson sat next to cricket legend Alec Stewart.

The icons formed an unlikely pair at Lord’s as England played India in their latest Test match.

Ben Stokes’ barnstorming performance saw his side remain in the hunt for Third Test glory.

But fans were more concerned with who was watching from the crowd.

As the camera panned round Lord’s, it picked up former England boss Hodgson in the stands.

The 77-year-old, most recently in charge of Crystal Palace until February 2024, looked to be in good spirits as he watched the action unfold.

Hodgson managed England between 2012 and 2016, winning 33 of his 56 matches.

He also spent time at Liverpool, Fulham and Watford in a managerial career starting in 1976.

But things got even better for cricket buffs when they realised that Hodgson was sat next to ex-England captain Stewart, 62.

The former batsman is his country’s fifth-most-capped player in Test matches with 133 outings.

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He played for England between 1989 and 2003, and was part of the side which reached the 1992 World Cup final.

After retiring, he has enjoyed several backroom roles with old side Surrey County.

And Stewart also looked on proudly as he watched successor Stokes hold India level to 387 runs apiece.

Fans were certainly delighted to see the unlikely pair sat together.

One said: “Legends only! What a duo.”

Another declared: “It gives me, I think they call it, ‘endorphins’.”

One noted: “Lord’s turning into a Hall of Fame hangout.”

Another added: “Two English greats link up.”

The match at Lord’s on Saturday also saw Zak Crawley at the centre of a furious time-wasting row with India captain Shubman Gill.

Crawley exchanged angry words with Gill as tempers flared and fingers were wagged.

Gill cupped his hand and appeared to tell Crawley: “Grow some f***** balls!”

Openers Crawley and Ben Duckett were determined they would face only one over when they went out to bat in England’s second innings with six minutes remaining.

They kept re-marking their guards, talking between deliveries and wandering slowly back to their positions.

And then Crawley called for the physio when he was struck on the glove by Jasprit Bumrah’s fifth ball of the over.

That made certain there would not be a second over but the Indians accused Crawley of exaggerating his injury.

As soon as Bumrah finished his over, Crawley turned and marched off to the pavilion with a torrent of abuse from Indian fielders ringing in his ears.

England scored 2-0 in that single over after India had been dismissed for 387 – exactly the same as England’s first innings total.

England fast bowling consultant Tim Southee, the former New Zealand bowler, said: “It was an exciting way to finish, showing a bit of energy at the end of a long day.

“But I’m not sure what they were moaning about given that Shubman Gill was lying down having a massage on the field yesterday.”

On Crawley’s finger, Southee added with a smile: “He’ll be assessed overnight and will hopefully be good to go in the morning.”