{"id":177881,"date":"2026-06-07T10:29:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T15:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=177881"},"modified":"2026-06-07T10:29:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T15:59:47","slug":"mcc-apologises-for-subpar-lords-pitch-in-1st-england-vs-new-zealand-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=177881","title":{"rendered":"MCC apologises for subpar Lord\u2019s pitch in 1st England vs New Zealand Test"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) had admitted the pitch for the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord\u2019s was not satisfactory in a statement released on Sunday.<\/p>\n

England emphatically beat the Black Caps in a 115-run win shorly before lunch on the fourth day. The Test also experienced rain delays in the first three days of the fixture.<\/p>\n

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MCC statement following the conclusion of today’s match. pic.twitter.com\/YSuoy1rKAD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lord’s Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cWe recognise that the pitch for this Test has shown more variable bounce than we would have wanted. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are naturally frustrated when a surface falls short of those expectations,\u201d the MCC said in a statement on social media.<\/p>\n

The MCC also highlighted the impact of extreme weather on the surface at Lord\u2019s.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ | England\u2019s Bazball reset begins with 115-run win over New Zealand on Day 4 at Lord\u2019s<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cMCC invests significantly each year in the preparation of the main square at Lord\u2019s, as well as in research, technology and expertise aimed at producing pitches that provide a fair and consistent contest between bat and ball. The unusually hot and dry weather during May, followed by wetter conditions in the lead-up to the match, presented a number of challenges in preparing the pitch.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, we fully recognise the need to act quickly. We will remain fully focused on applying all aspects of pitch development and improvement as outlined in our recently published MCC strategy 2026-29.\u201d<\/p>\n

The match, the 150th Men\u2019s Test to be hosted at the venue, was also its second shortest in history, with a wicket falling almost every 25 balls.<\/p>\n

Despite the win, England captain Ben Stokes was critical of the pitch.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a playing point of view it was great to be challenged. But when you see extreme conditions like that they\u2019re not going to help the game in future.\u201d<\/p>\n

His counterpart Tom Latham concurred saying, \u201cI\u2019m sure the curator didn\u2019t think the wicket was going to play like that going into the Test and we certainly didn\u2019t. There\u2019s only been two full days of cricket played. Both teams had the same conditions throughout but it wasn\u2019t ideal. It\u2019s a great week here at Lord\u2019s and for it to play out like that is unfortunate.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s plenty of cricket coming to the iconic venue in the next few weeks with the Women\u2019s T20 World Cup and the one-off Test between India and England five days after the World Cup final.<\/p>\n

Published on Jun 07, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n