Why has Lord's dug up its pitch and what comes next?
Summary
Lord's cricket ground has dug up one of its main playing strips, called Pitch Nine, because it caused problems during recent important matches. The ground staff is rebuilding the pitch with new materials to improve the playing surface, but Pitch Nine will not be ready until at least 2029. Meanwhile, Lord's is also trying new hybrid pitches and plans to use drop-in pitches to handle match schedules better.Key Facts
- Pitch Nine is one of five central strips used for major cricket matches at Lord's.
- The pitch was criticized for being too difficult for batting and received an "unsatisfactory" rating after the England vs New Zealand Test in June.
- Lord's has faced similar issues in previous international matches, with pitches rated only "average."
- The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) introduced a seven-point plan and used external experts to improve the pitches.
- Over five days, Pitch Nine was dug up and rebuilt with gravel and fresh soil to create a better surface.
- Pitch Nine will be unavailable until at least 2029, affecting scheduling of important matches.
- Lord's is increasing use of hybrid pitches, which are a mix of synthetic fibers and grass, allowed in shorter formats but not Tests.
- The MCC is also preparing to use drop-in pitches, grown away from the main ground and moved into place when needed, starting around 2028.
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