‘More pace and carry’: Lord’s aiming for faster pitch ahead of second Ashes Test

After unfavourable reviews for Edgbaston, officials are optimistic there will be good news when the Ashes resumes at Lord’s.

Lord’s officials are aiming to generate a faster pitch for the second Test than the one delivered in Birmingham for the Ashes opener.

The Edgbaston pitch did not receive overly favourable reviews from players, most notably England veteran Jimmy Anderson who took aim at the wicket in his column for The Telegraph after match figures of 1-109.

“When you play on a flat pitch like the one at Edgbaston and take a wicket, a bit more emotion does come out because you have worked extra hard for it,” Anderson wrote.

“That pitch was like kryptonite for me. There was not much swing, no reverse swing, no seam movement, no bounce and no pace. I’ve tried over the years to hone my skills so I can bowl in any conditions but everything I tried made no difference. I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle. It’s a long series and hopefully, I can contribute at some point, but if all the pitches are like that I’m done in the Ashes series.”

Lord’s officials are aiming to generate a faster pitch for the second Test. Pictire: Getty Images

MCC assistant secretary Jamie Cox said he was tipping the pitch at Lord’s to be like the one earlier in the month between England and Ireland, a match wrapped up inside three days but in which Ireland still made 362 at better than four runs per over in its second innings.

“Similar pitch to the Ireland Test match,” said Cox, the former Tasmanian opener, Australian selector and St Kilda football chief.

“It just got through. It wasn’t fast, but it was easy to score on. It was a good batting pitch when the sun was out. Here, they always say ‘look up, not down.’ So if the clouds are out, the game will accelerate. If it’s nice sunny days batting will look fun.”

Steve Smith walks out to bat at Lords in 2019. Picture: Getty Images

Asked specifically if he thought the pitch would be quicker than that in Birmingham, Cox was optimistic.

“A little bit I think. Well, that’s what we want,” Cox told CODE Sports.

“We want a little bit more pace and carry. Our biggest battle here is always getting pace and carry. It’s just not a fast, bouncing surface.

“There’s always something there for the bowlers with the overheads and the slope and everything else. Doesn’t spin much historically. But it will do if you get four or five hot days.”

Lord’s will also host a women’s Ashes ODI on July 8.

Originally published as ‘More pace and carry’: Lord’s aiming for faster pitch ahead of second Ashes Test