MCC: Keeping Lord's World Class

MCC is determined to ensure that Lord's remains world-class, as well as world-famous. Accordingly, it has invested more than £50 million, over the last 20 years, in various ground modernisation projects.

This investment programme has resulted in the construction of four new stands (including the award-winning Mound Stand), MCC's Cricket Academy and the futuristic J.P. Morgan Media Centre.

Far from resting on its laurels, MCC has recently been investing even more money to ensure that Lord's has both a unique historic appeal and truly state-of-the-art sporting facilities.

The magnificent retracting floodlights were switched on in May 2009 after installation at a cost of £2.7million. The floodlights, among the best at any cricketing venue in the world, have allowed MCC to host day/night international cricket for the first time, as well as domestic 20-over and 40-over matches. They have also helped play continue in gloomy conditions during Test matches.

These improvement projects have included the development of portable pitches (see left) on the Nursery Ground, the re-laying of pitches on the main Ground (see right) and an £8 million programme to restore the Pavilion - a Grade II* listed building - to pristine condition.

In addition, the 2003 season saw teams playing on a new surface for the first time. This followed MCC's decision to replace its old clay-based, slow-draining outfield with a new sand-based, fast-draining surface at a cost of £1.25 million. Although expensive, MCC believes that this project has already proved well worthwhile. It has reduced the number of rain-induced breaks in play at Lord's and also cut their length - to the relief of players, spectators and cricket-loving viewers and listeners alike. (To see a short film on MCC's outfield project, please see right.)

More recently, the Club has invested approaching £1 million in two important projects - first, the refurbishment of its Cricket Academy, which now has a ‘Supergrasse’ playing surface, and, secondly, the renewal of the Mound Stand’s distinctive and trend-setting ‘tented’ roof. The Cricket Academy's indoor school will undergo a further refit - including new lighting and netting - in the winter of 2011.

Secretary & Chief Executive, Keith Bradshaw, said: "Lord's is an iconic venue - in London, in cricket, and in the world of sport as a whole. MCC is committed to keeping Lord's as the best ground in the world, for cricketers and spectators alike, and the Club continues to invest in world-class facilities for a world-class ground."