Lord's cricket ground has faced renewed concerns over the quality of its pitches, following a Test match against New Zealand in June that resulted in an apology from the MCC and an 'unsatisfactory' rating from the International Cricket Council.
While the pitch for the current Test against Pakistan has not generated the same level of outcry, it has reportedly produced 'extravagant movement for the seamers' and 'unpredictable bounce'. The MCC issued a statement during the fourth innings of the current Test, indicating that 'independent specialists' are confident in finding solutions to improve pitch quality.
The MCC further stated its intention to establish an agronomy advisory group, seeking 'four to six leading experts with diverse skillsets and knowledge'. This year has seen the lowest batting average at Lord's since 1958, at 16.57, and no player has scored a century across the two Tests hosted this summer.
Concerns about Lord's have also led to the World Test Championship final next year being scheduled at the Oval.