Lord’s digs up troubled pitch, which will be out of action until 2029

Lord’s has dug up Pitch Nine after a series of problematic surfaces, including the pitch used for England’s Test against New Zealand in June, which the International Cricket Council rated “unsatisfactory”. The strip is expected to remain out of action until 2029 at the earliest, creating scheduling pressure as the ground prepares for a busy run of international cricket. [1]

Pitch Nine is one of 20 strips at Lord’s and one of five central pitches used for major matches. During the New Zealand Test, the ball that dismissed Jacob Bethell skidded along the ground; the match would have finished inside two days without bad weather. England captain Ben Stokes criticised the surface, saying it did not benefit Test cricket. The ICC also issued Lord’s with a demerit point. [1]

The ground has faced criticism over other pitches, too. Surfaces for men’s Tests against Ireland in 2019, New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023, as well as a women’s one-day international against India in 2022, were rated “average” under the ICC’s previous system. [1]

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which runs Lord’s, said in February that the square must be a priority and later set out a seven-point pitch action plan, including bringing in external experts. This month, workers removed Pitch Nine over five days, laid a gravel base and added fresh soil. [1]

What happens next

The loss of a main television pitch comes as Lord’s is due to host a men’s Test against Bangladesh in May, the second men’s Ashes Test in late June, a women’s Ashes one-day international in July and a men’s one-day international in September next year. [1]

The MCC is expanding its use of hybrid pitches, which combine grass with synthetic fibres and can be reused more quickly than natural surfaces. A third hybrid is due to be added to the square in spring. Such pitches are permitted in white-ball internationals and domestic cricket, but not in Test matches. [1]

The club is also preparing to trial drop-in pitches, grown away from the main square and moved into position. The first trays are due to be introduced to the Nursery Ground in the coming weeks. MCC chair Mark Nicholas has said the changes will take time to deliver their full benefit; the club has not yet established whether they will resolve its pitch problems.