The CAB is joining hands with the MCC to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first Test at the Eden Gardens.

CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya said the "collaboration" is purely for a cricketing purpose.

Asked whether they have sought the permission of BCCI in this tie-up, the CAB President said, "It's not ICL or IPL...I think we are doing for the purpose of cricket. However, we will informt the BCCI about this." The CAB and MCC have come together issuing a collectors' item of 1,000 commemorative covers, each having a unique stamp and a post mark to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first official Test played in Eden Gardens on January 5-8, 1934.

"The process of collaboration started in October itself when Mike Brearly was at the helm. Now after Derek Underwood became the president, we wrote to him suggesting a series of proposed collaborations. The MCC Committee approved plan in November and the unique memorabilia is a product of this intiative," Dalmiya said.

More to come

Dalmiya added it's a beginning and there will be more such programmes together in purpose of cricket.

"We wanted to do something extraordinary which has not happened so far in India. For CAB, MCC coming to join hands it is a big occasion and it is a beginning. It will not end here.

"There will be more cooperation, more discussion, more proposals and you will find that MCC and CAB are taking many programmes together which will enhance the cricket purpose and it will open a new saga that what we together are capable of," Dalmiya told reporters.

MCC calling

Dalmiya said he has been invited by MCC to inaugurate a stamp exhibition next month. Seventy-five years ago, England played their first official Test series in India and Eden hosted the second Test from January 5-8, 1934. England cricket team used to travel under the banner of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) then. Douglas Jardine was their captain, while India were led by Col C K Nayudu.

Dalmiya said CAB will celebrate its 80th anniversary on February 3.

That's when it all started

"On February 3, 1928, CAB was born. This year, we will be celebrating 80th foundation day of CAB. More on this will be given later." Asked what was so special about the 80th year, Dalmiya said, "everything is important nowadays... Those days were gone when you celebrated only silver, gold, plantinum anniversary."