Lord's pitch rated 'unsatisfactory' by ICC

The pitch at Lord's Cricket Ground for the first Test match between England and New Zealand has been rated "unsatisfactory" by the International Cricket Council (ICC). This rating results in the historic venue receiving one demerit point. The ICC's decision was announced on June 23, 2024, following an assessment of the playing surface's performance during the match. An "unsatisfactory" rating indicates that the pitch did not meet the required standards for international cricket, potentially affecting the balance between bat and ball. The demerit point system, established by the ICC, tracks the condition of international cricket grounds. Venues accumulate demerit points for breaches of the ICC Pitch and Ground Authority (PGA) guidelines. If a venue accumulates five demerit points within a rolling 24-month period, it faces a suspension from hosting international cricket matches for a period of 12 months. This demerit point is the first recorded for Lord's under the current PGA regulations, and it will remain on the venue's record for 24 months.