Five Oldest Cricket Stadiums in the World
We have heard the names of the stadiums like Lord’s, The Oval, Old Trafford, Gabba, Eden Gardens, and many more. And, we usually talk about the stadiums when matches are being played during the Home and Away series or any prestigious tournaments in Cricket like the World Cups, Champions Trophy, The Ashes, etc.
Do we know the history of the Oldest Cricket stadiums or simply remember them because of some cricketing moments and infrastructural facilities?
If asked then most of us will say “No Idea”.
So, here is the list of those 5 oldest cricket stadiums where the era of cricket began.
Oldest Cricket Stadium List
Five Oldest Cricket Stadiums in the World
5) Bramall Lane, England
Bramall Lane Stadium is a football stadium in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It is the home ground of Sheffield United Football Club and has a capacity of around 32,000 spectators.
Stadium
It was first opened as a cricket ground in 1855 and was later converted into a football stadium in 1862. It has been renovated and expanded several times over the years, most recently in 2006.
Bramall Lane Stadium is famous for its unique design as it combines traditional and modern architecture. Also known as one of the oldest football stadiums in the world, it has hosted many major events including the FA Cup semi-finals and England internationals.
Aside from football matches, Bramall Lane Stadium also hosts other events such as concerts and conferences. It is also the 5th oldest cricket stadium in the world as well.
Establishment Year: 1855
First and only International Match: 3rd July 1902, England vs Australia.
Result: Australia won by 143 runs.
Nowadays, this stadium is used to organize football matches and other sports.
4) Melbourne Cricket Stadium, Australia
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is a sports stadium in Melbourne, Australia. It is the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere and the 10th largest stadium in the world with a capacity of over 100,000 spectators. Mainly used for cricket and Australian Rules Football, MCG is home to Melbourne Cricket Club, Melbourne Football Club, and Victorian Bushrangers.
It also hosts many other events including soccer games, concerts, and the 1956 Summer Olympics. MCG has a rich sporting history as it has hosted many historic cricket matches including the very first Test match in 1877 and as well as many Test matches on Boxing Day which are considered one of the greatest cricket events in the world. It has also hosted an Australian Football League (AFL) Finals series, which is the championship game of Australian rules football. It is also the 4th oldest cricket stadium in the world as well.
Establishment Year: 1853
First International Match: 15th March 1877, Australia vs England.
Result: Australia won by 45 runs.
3) Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia
Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is a sports stadium in Sydney, Australia. It is one of Australia’s oldest and most famous stadiums with a capacity of over 48,000 spectators. It is used primarily for cricket and Australian rules football. SCG is home to the New South Wales Blues cricket team, the Sydney Sixers, and the Australian Football League team, the Sydney Swans. It also hosts many major events including international cricket matches, rugby league matches, and major concerts.
SCG has a rich sporting history and has hosted many historic cricket matches including Australia vs England which was also the first test match of the stadium in 1882, now known as the ‘Ashes’.It has also hosted several other major cricket matches including several World Cup matches. It is also the 3rd oldest cricket stadium in the world as well.
Establishment Year: 1848
First International Match: 17th February 1882, Australia vs England.
Result: Australia won by 5 wickets.
2) Kennington Oval, England
Kennington Oval, commonly known as The Oval, is a cricket ground in London, England. It is the home of Surrey County Cricket Club and has a capacity of around 25,000 spectators. The Oval has a long and illustrious history and has been the site of many historic cricket matches including England’s first Test match in 1880.
It has also been the site of many Ashes matches and the site of many memorable moments in cricket history. Aside from cricket, the Oval has also hosted other sporting events such as rugby, football, and even baseball. It has also been used for concerts and other events, including the historic Beatles performance in 1965. It is also the 2nd oldest cricket stadium in the world as well.
Establishment Year: 1845
First International Match: 6th September 1880, England vs Australia.
Result: England won by 5 wickets.
1) Lord’s, England
Lord’s Cricket Ground, commonly referred to as Lord’s, is a cricket ground in St John’s Wood, London, England. It is the home of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and has a capacity of around 30,000 spectators. Widely regarded as the spiritual home of cricket.
Lord’s has a rich history dating back to 1814 when it was founded. It has been the site of a number of historic matches, including the first Test match between England and Australia in 1884 and the final of the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
It is also known for its unique architecture including the iconic clubhouse which was built in 1889 and remains one of the most recognizable cricket landmarks in the world. Lord’s is also home to the infamous Slope, a slight slope of the pitch that is believed to affect how the ball behaves. It is also the oldest cricket stadium in the world as well.
Establishment Year: 1814
First International Match: 21st July 1884, England vs Australia.
Result: England won by 1 inning and 5 runs.