Overview
- MCC began digging up and relaying Pitch 9 in October 2026 and says the strip will be unavailable for at least two seasons and possibly three.
- The ICC gave Pitch 9 its first-ever demerit after match referee Andy Pycroft found excessive seam movement and variable, low bounce in the England v New Zealand Test that saw all 40 wickets fall in 166 overs.
- MCC has put in place a seven-point action plan and ordered what it calls the most comprehensive review of the square and pitch preparation at Lord's in a generation.
- As part of its remediation, the club plans to add a third hybrid surface in spring 2027 and start using permanent drop-in trays with the first transfer targeted for 2028.
- The loss of Pitch 9 will tighten Lord's scheduling, requiring longer preparation windows for major Tests and likely shifting some smaller fixtures to partner grounds such as Wormsley.