England To Dig Up ‘Unsatisfactory’ Lord’s Pitch After Brutal ICC Verdict

Lord’s pitch 9 rated unsatisfactory by ICC | PC- AFPThe surface used for the England vs New Zealand Test at Lord’s back in June this year was termed ‘unsatisfactory’ by the International Cricket Council (ICC). With all 40 wickets falling within 166 overs of the match, the apex body also handed the iconic English venue one demerit point.The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) ground staff has since reconstructed the pitch, and the said surface will now be expected to remain out of action for at least the next two English seasons.Pitch 9 of Lord’s reconstructed after MCC’s ‘seven-point action plan’The Pitch 9 at the Lord’s Cricket Stadium was rated “unsatisfactory” by match referee Andy Pycroft back in June this year after hosts England thrashed the visiting New Zealander’s inside 166 overs.Since then, MCC chairman Mark Nicholas devised a seven-point action plan in a bid to reconstruct the controversial surface. Work began on the reconstruction of the pitch earlier this month and it will now remain unavailable for play for the next two or three English seasons.ALSO READEngland’s Ashes Winning Captain Questions Ben Stokes' Retirement TimingIn a bid to preserve the historic ground’s reputation, Nicholas wrote an email to fellow MCC members, stating that the project would “ensure that the club prepares pitches worthy of the ground's reputation.”With the unavailability of one central strip, a Cricinfo report has claimed that matches at Lord’s might be affected. The MCC is aiming to relocate some recreational fixtures from Lord’s to the Sir Paul Getty's Ground at Wormsley. The MCC is also planning to use hybrid pitches and “permanent drop-in” pitches as part of its long-term strategy. Meanwhile, a third hybrid pitch will likely be installed in spring, with Nicholas explaining “Their efficient use will help relieve pressure caused by the loss of Pitch 9 for the next couple of years.”It is worth noting that Lord’s is scheduled to host two Test matches next year, including the second Test of the 2027 Ashes series against Australia between June 30 and July 4.Why was Lord’s pitch rated “unsatisfactory” by ICCBack in June this year, England defeated New Zealand by 115 runs at Lord’s in the first Test of their three-match home series. However, the surface yielded all 40 match wickets in just 166 overs, prompting match referee Andy Pycroft to call out the pitch for its “excessive seam movement and variable bounce”.Interestingly, 24 of the 40 wickets that fell in the match were either clean-bowled or LBWs.While the venue also hosted the England Women vs India Women Test and the England vs Pakistan Test this year, the pitches used in both matches were rated “satisfactory” by the ICC.ALSO READWatch- Shimron Hetmyer Takes A Stunner Near Boundary Ropes To Dismiss Sanju Samson