Lord's has dug up one of its central pitches after years of criticism and an 'unsatisfactory' ICC rating, with plans for hybrids and drop-in surfaces to improve quality.
01Summary
- 01Pitch Nine was used for the England v New Zealand Test in June 2024, which was rated 'unsatisfactory' by the ICC and earned a demerit point.
- 02The pitch was dug up over five days, filled with gravel and fresh soil, and will be out of action until at least 2029.
- 03Lord's will add a third hybrid pitch in spring 2025, but hybrids are not yet allowed in Test cricket.
- 04Drop-in pitches will be introduced on the Nursery Ground in the coming weeks, with possible use from 2028.
- 05MCC chair Mark Nicholas warned members to expect scheduling challenges due to the loss of Pitch Nine.
02Why it matters
This matters because Lord's hosts two men's Tests per year, including the 2025 Ashes, and the pitch renovation aims to restore its reputation for producing fair, entertaining surfaces.
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