Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has taken the significant step of relaying the Lord’s pitch rated as “unsatisfactory” during the England-New Zealand Test in June. The decision follows the pitch’s first-ever demerit point by the ICC, with the MCC vowing that this surface, now under reconstruction, will remain unused for at least the next two seasons.
The contentious surface, known as Pitch 9, resulted in a match where all 40 wickets fell within just 166 overs. Match referee Andy Pycroft highlighted concerns about excessive seam movement and inconsistent bounce, leading to numerous dismissals being bowled or leg before wicket (lbw).
Following the game’s conclusion, MCC’s chair, Mark Nicholas, presented a comprehensive seven-point action plan to address these pitch issues. The club’s director of cricket and operations, Rob Lynch, along with the groundstaff, have since engaged in extensive consultations and commissioned data analyses to improve the situation. Nicholas described it as “the most comprehensive review of the square and pitch preparation at Lord’s in a generation.”
Reconstruction of the pitch began earlier this month. Nicholas communicated to club members that these measures are aimed at “ensuring that the club prepares pitches worthy of the ground’s reputation.” He also advised members to expect scheduling challenges due to the pitch’s unavailability.
In addition to reconstructing Pitch 9, the MCC is considering extending the preparation period ahead of high-profile matches like the Ashes Tests. This strategy aims to provide groundstaff adequate time to perfect pitch conditions. Consequently, smaller fixtures might be relocated to alternate venues such as Sir Paul Getty’s Ground at Wormsley, which the MCC is considering establishing as a partner venue following a successful trial.
Integral to MCC’s long-term strategy is the incorporation of hybrid pitches and ‘permanent drop-in’ pitches. A third hybrid pitch—consisting of a blend of natural and synthetic turf—will be installed next spring. According to Nicholas, these new pitches will ease the pressure on resources caused by the reconstruction of Pitch 9, though hybrid pitches are not yet sanctioned for Test matches.
Meanwhile, MCC has embarked on creating its first ‘permanent drop-in’ pitches. Unlike those in venues like Australia, these will be a fixture rather than replaced seasonally. The first of these drop-ins is expected to be part of the main square by 2028.
Lord’s is slated to host two men’s Test matches annually under a staging agreement that remains effective until 2031. Next summer, the historic ground will welcome England against Bangladesh and Australia, though the ICC has opted for The Oval to host the World Test Championship final.
Despite the issues with the New Zealand Test, other matches at Lord’s, including Tests against India and Pakistan, received ‘satisfactory’ ratings, while limited-overs games were graded ‘very good’.
This development represents a significant step towards ensuring that Lord’s retains its reputation for quality and reliability in pitches, addressing recent concerns while also planning for future sustainability.
