Australia pitch in to help again

English cricket has again turned to the old enemy Australia for help.

England have already turned to former Australian Test wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh to run their cricket academy and nurture young English talent.

Now the MCC have gone Down Under to find new pitches for Lord's. Two pitches, cultivated in greenhouses near Melbourne, have been installed at the Nursery Ground and will eventually be transplanted to the main square at Lord's.

The cost of the exercise is £60,000 and may be followed by a further three pitches if the first two stand up well.