MCC dig up 'unsatisfactory' Test pitch after ICC demerit point

The pitch that earned Lord's its first-ever demerit point from the ICC has been relaid by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) groundstaff and will be out of action for at least the next two seasons.

Pitch 9, one of the five central strips used for international fixtures at Lord's, was rated "unsatisfactory" by match referee Andy Pycroft after England's win over New Zealand in early June, who cited excessive seam movement and variable bounce. The Test match saw all 40 wickets fall in just 166 overs, with 24 of those dismissals either bowled or lbw.

Mark Nicholas, MCC's chair, devised a seven-point action plan immediately after that Test. Rob Lynch, MCC's director of cricket and operations, and the club's groundstaff have since sought expert advice, including commissioning data analysis, and work has since begun on what Nicholas has described as "the most comprehensive review of the square and pitch preparation at Lord's in a generation".

Work began on the reconstruction of Pitch 9 earlier this month and it will consequently be unavailable for the next two or three seasons. Nicholas told members in an email on Wednesday that the project would "ensure that the club prepares pitches worthy of the ground's reputation", and warned: "We should all be braced for the scheduling challenges these plans will bring in the coming years."

As well as the unavailability of one central strip, Cricinfo has learned that the Lord's fixture list could be affected by plans to build in a longer 'lead-in' period ahead of marquee events such as Ashes Tests, which are designed to maximise the time available for groundstaff to work on pitches.

These plans may see some smaller, recreational fixtures moved from Lord's to Sir Paul Getty's Ground at Wormsley, which MCC intend to turn into a partner venue after a successful pilot programme this summer, though details have not yet been confirmed.

MCC plans to use both hybrid pitches and 'permanent drop-in' pitches as part of its long-term pitch strategy. A third hybrid pitch - comprising 95% natural turf and 5% synthetic - will be installed in the spring, and Nicholas said: "Their efficient use will help relieve pressure caused by the loss of Pitch 9 for the next couple of years."

Hybrid pitches are not currently permitted for use in Test matches, but can be used for limited-overs internationals if both teams and the ICC agree, and are already common in English domestic cricket. They are believed to behave more consistently than standard turf pitches, and to provide a quicker turnaround to become 'fresh' again after use.

The club is also producing its first three drop-in trays, the first of which will be moved to the main square in 2028 after an incubation period on the nursery ground. The 'permanent drop-ins' will be installed on a long-term basis, rather than being removed and replaced seasonally like those found at multi-use venues in Australia.

Lord's is due to stage two men's Test matches a year until its staging agreement which runs until 2031. Next summer, it will host two England Tests - against Bangladesh (May 28-June 1) and Australia (June 30-July 4) - but not the World Test Championship final, with the ICC instead choosing The Oval to host the showpiece event.

Aside from the New Zealand Test, Lord's hosted two other Tests this summer - England's women against India, and England's men against Pakistan - for which the pitches were both rated 'satisfactory'. Their four limited-overs international pitches - across three women's T20 World Cup matchdays and an England men's ODI against India - were rated 'very good'.