Lord’s Pitch Dug Up After ICC Sanction Following England vs New Zealand Test

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has dug up and relaid the Lord’s pitch used for England’s Test match against New Zealand in June after the surface received an unsatisfactory rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Pitch 9, one of five central strips at the historic London ground, was awarded a demerit point after match referee Andy Pycroft raised concerns about excessive seam movement and inconsistent bounce. The surface will now remain out of use for two to three years.

The Test proved unusually difficult for batters, with all 40 wickets falling in just 166 overs. The match became the second-shortest Test in Lord’s history, prompting a detailed review of the ground’s playing surfaces.

According to the MCC, work to reconstruct the pitch began earlier this month following what the club described as its most comprehensive review of Lord’s pitch conditions.

The club is also planning to introduce hybrid pitches, which have been found to offer greater durability than traditional surfaces. However, hybrid pitches are currently not permitted in Test cricket.

In addition, the MCC is preparing three drop-in pitch trays, with the first expected to be moved to the main square in 2028. Unlike temporary surfaces used at some multi-purpose venues, these pitches are intended to remain installed over the long term.

Lord’s is scheduled to host two Test matches next year, against Bangladesh in May and Australia in June during the Ashes series. The Kia Oval has been selected to host the next World Test Championship final.