ICC Rates Lord’s, Gaddafi Stadium Pitches Unsatisfactory

The first ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycling Test between England and New Zealand ended in four days despite heavy rain interruption on Day 3, which saw both teams lose 16 and 17 wickets on Days 1 and 2 respectively.

As a result, the ICC rated the ground as ‘inadequate’ and the venue received a penalty point. Match umpire Andy Pycroft said in his report that, with 33 wickets falling in the first two days of the Test, Lord’s pitch offered excessive seam action, inconsistent and sometimes very low bounce, and heavily favored bowlers over batsmen.

“There was a lot of over-seaming throughout the Test and the ball was also held extremely low on many occasions. The bounce was variable with 16 wickets falling on the first day and 17 on the second. There was an over-balance in favor of bat versus ball caused by the pitch,” he said.

Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which hosted the 3rd ODI between Australia and Pakistan on June 4, also received an ‘inadequate’ rating. Match referee Graeme La Brooy said the Gaddafi Stadium pitch was slow and low, making it difficult to score and unsuitable for ODI cricket.

La Brooy said of the Gaddafi Stadium pitch: “The pitch was slow and low and made scoring runs very difficult. It did not suit a One Day International match as the batsmen had to spend more time settling in. It helped turn very early in the match and continued to do so throughout the match.”