Top ten oldest cricket stadiums
May 2, 2016 at 4:52 PM
Whether it’s a small cricket ground or a mammoth one, a 22-yard strip, along with a vast outfield, is a prerequisite to starting a cricketing battle between two sides. An ideal cricket match cannot be staged without a buzzing environment, though. Fans are always the heart and soul of every sport – particularly for a team game like cricket, where the feelings of pride and glory play a huge role. Hence, stadiums with traditions and historical glory have a certain aura about them that is hard to replicate.
Here we take a look at the 10 oldest cricket stadiums in terms of the year they were established.
10. GALLE INTERNATIONAL STADIUM, Sri Lanka
It was one of the most scenic venues in world cricket before being devastated by the terrible tsunami which struck on Dec 26, 2004. Galle was established in 1876. The first match played here was between Sri Lanka and New Zealand (Test) on 3 June, 1998.
9. ADELAIDE OVAL, Australia
Adelaide still remains one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world despite recent developments to increase capacity and facilities. It was established in 1873. The first match was played between Australia and England (Test) on 12 December, 1884.
8. BASIN RESERVE, New Zealand
The Basin Reserve is the only cricket ground in New Zealand to have Historic Place status (Category II) as it is the oldest Test cricket ground in New Zealand. Spectators are accommodated on a grass bank on the eastern side of the ground, a natural sun trap which also provides shelter from the notorious southerly winds. It was established in 1868 and the first match was played between New Zealand and England (Test) on 24 January, 1930.
7. EDEN GARDENS, India
Along with the MCG, the Eden Gardens remains cricket’s answer to the Coliseum. It first hosted a Test back in the days of India’s cricketing infancy, with Douglas Jardine’s team easing to victory inside four days in 1934. The ground was established in 1864.
6. OLD TRAFFORD CRICKET GROUND, England
It’s a special venue with a rich history. Old Trafford guaranteed it’s a place in cricket’s eternal hall of fame when Jim Laker destroyed Australia, in 1956, on an old-fashioned “sticky wicket”, with match figures of 19 for 90. It was established in 1857 and the first match was played between England and Australia (Test) on 10 July, 1884.
5. MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND (MCG), Australia
It is one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world. It has been host to many epic encounters in cricket. It is regarded as Australia’s premier sporting venue. It was established in 1853 and the first match was played between Australia and England (Test) on 15 March, 1877.
4. SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND, Australia
The Sydney Cricket Ground is one of the world’s most famous cricketing venues. For a stadium in a major centre, it has a relatively limited capacity (a little over 40,000) but this has the direct benefit of ensuring that spectators are close to the action from virtually any point on the ground. It was established in 1848 and the first match was played between Australia and England (Test) on 17 February, 1882.
3. THE OVAL CRICKET GROUND, England
This is where it all began. The first-ever Test on English soil was played here in September 1880, resulting in an England victory over Australia by five wickets. More pertinently, this is the historic venue where the legend of the Ashes was born a couple of years after the inaugural Test, in August 1882. The Stadium was established in 1845.
2. TRENT BRIDGE GROUND, England
Trent Bridge has been home to some of the finest cricketers in the world; Gary Sobers, Clive Rice and Richard Hadlee have all graced the ground and left a permanent mark on its history. It was established in 1841 and the first match was played between England and Australia (Test) on 1 June, 1899.
- LORD’S CRICKET GROUND, England
Despite a major rebuilding programme in recent years, Lord’s remains a cricket ground as opposed to the largely impersonal stadiums many other leading venues which have become. Playing in a Test at Lord’s, still widely regarded as the home of cricket, remains to many cricketers the pinnacle of a career. It was established in 1814 and the first match was played between England and Australia (Test) on 21 July, 1884.