One of the oldest and most well-known games in the world, cricket has a long, illustrious history. Although the game has altered throughout time, some of the locations where it is played haven’t changed much in decades. These cricket stadiums serve as both venues for games and memorials to the history and culture of the sport. The ten oldest cricket stadiums in the world will be examined in this article, along with their historical backgrounds and ongoing contributions to the game.
1. Lord’s Cricket Ground
The oldest cricket stadium in the world is Lord’s Cricket Ground, which is located in the center of London. Thomas Lord, a businessman and professional cricket player, founded it in 1814. The Marylebone Cricket Club, the International Cricket Council, and the England and Wales Cricket Board all have their offices at this location, earning it the nicknames “Home of Cricket” and “Mecca of Cricket.” The first Test match in England, played in 1884; the first World Cup final, played in 1975; and the first Twenty20 international, played in 2005—all took place at Lord’s. The stadium can accommodate 28,000 spectators and is home to a number of well-known structures, including the Pavilion, the Long Room, and the Old Father Time weathervane.
2. Trent Bridge
In Nottingham, England, Trent Bridge, the second-oldest cricket venue in the world, may be found. William Clarke, a former bricklayer who became professional cricketer and started the All-England Eleven, launched it in 1830. The neighboring bridge that spans the River Trent is whence the ground got its name. In 1899, England and Australia played their first Test at Trent Bridge, which has subsequently played host to a number of notable games, including the Ashes series in 1938, 2005, and 2015. The Radcliffe Road Stand, the Fox Road Stand, and the Hound Road Stand are just a few of the contemporary amenities available at the 17,500-seat stadium.
3.The Oval
The third-oldest cricket venue in the world, The Oval, usually referred to as the Kia Oval or simply The Oval, is situated in Kennington, London. Charles Alcock, a well-known sports executive who also formed the Football Association, founded it in 1845. The Duchy of Cornwall owns the oval-shaped field, which got its name. The Oval featured the first international rugby match in 1876, the inaugural Test match between England and Australia in 1880, and the beginning of the Ashes series in 1882, among other important historical occasions. The Pavilion, the OCS Stand, and the Gasometer are a few of the significant buildings on the site, which can accommodate 25,500 spectators.
4. The Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which is situated in Sydney, Australia, is the fourth-oldest cricket stadium in the world. James Lillywhite Jr., a former English cricketer who immigrated to Australia and worked as a cricket promoter, founded it in 1848. The Sydney Cricket Ground Trust is the owner of the facility, usually referred to as the SCG or just Sydney. Australia and England played in the SCG’s inaugural Test match in 1882. Since then, it has played host to numerous historic games, including Don Bradman’s final innings in 1948, shane Warne’s 300th wicket in 1998, and Steve Smith’s double century in 2019. The Members Pavilion, Ladies Pavilion, and Brewongle Stand are just a few of the recognizable structures of the 48,000-seat stadium.
5.The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
The fifth-oldest cricket stadium in the world, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), is situated in Melbourne Park, Australia. Members of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), who leased the site from the government, founded it in 1853. The Melbourne Cricket Club Trust is the owner of the facility, usually referred to as the MCG or just Melbourne.
Australia and England played in the MCG’s inaugural Test match, which took place in 1877. Since then, it has played host to numerous important occasions, including the first One Day International in 1971, the Centenary Test in 1977, and the Boxing Day Test since 1980.
6.Eden Gardens
Kolkata, India’s Eden Gardens is home to the sixth-oldest cricket stadium in the world. The British East India Company founded it in 1864 and gave it the name Eden Sisters after the daughters of India’s then-governor-general. Since it is home to both the Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) and Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) IPL franchise headquarters, the stadium is also referred to as the “Coliseum of Cricket” and the “Mecca of Indian Cricket.” Eden Gardens staged its first Test match between India and England in 1934. Since then, it has played host to a number of memorable games, including the World T20 final in 2016 and India’s historic victory over Australia in 2001. The stadium has a 66,000-seat capacity and boasts a number of magnificent buildings, including the Club House, the Eden Bell, and the Sourav Ganguly Stand.
7.Old Trafford
In Manchester, England, Old Trafford Cricket Ground is the seventh-oldest cricket ground in the world. Members of the Manchester Cricket Club (MCC), who had relocated from their previous venue at the Botanical Gardens, founded it in 1857. The stadium is also known as the “Theatre of Dreams” and the “Home of Lancashire Cricket” since it serves as both the Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)’s administrative offices. The first Test match at Old Trafford was between England and Australia in 1884. Since then, it has played host to a number of noteworthy games, including Jim Laker’s 19-wicket haul in 1956, Sachin Tendulkar’s first Test century in 1990, and James Anderson’s 600th Test wicket in 2020. The stadium can accommodate 26,000 spectators and boasts a number of up-to-date amenities, including the Pavilion, the Point, and the Hilton Garden Inn.
8. Newlands Cricket Ground
The eighth-oldest cricket stadium in the world, Newlands Cricket Ground is situated in Cape Town, South Africa. Members of the Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC), who rented the site from the Diocesan College, founded it in 1888. Due to its breathtaking views of Table Mountain and the Devil’s Peak, the area is often referred to as the “Home of Cape Cobras” and the “Most Beautiful Ground in the World.”
The first Test match at Newlands was between South Africa and England in 1889, and it has since played host to a number of exciting games, including the tied Test in 1960, the record-breaking chase in 2000, and the thrilling conclusion in 2018.
The President’s Pavilion, the Oaks Enclosure, and the Railway Stand are just a few of the opulent stands on the course, which can accommodate 22,000 people.
9. The Basin Reserve
In Wellington, New Zealand, Basin Reserve is the ninth-oldest cricket stadium in the world. It was created in 1868 by Wellington Cricket Club (WCC) members, who turned a marshy basin into a cricket field. Due to the fact that it serves as both the Wellington Firebirds’ (WF) and the New Zealand Cricket Museum’s (NZCM) administrative offices, the stadium is also known as the “Home of Wellington Cricket” and the “Home of New Zealand Cricket.” In 1930, New Zealand and England played their first Test at Basin Reserve. Since then, many important games have taken place there, including the 300th Test wicket for Richard Hadlee in 1985, Martin Crowe’s final Test century in 1991, and Brendon McCullum’s triple century in 2014. The Museum Stand, the Vance Stand, and the Norwood Stand are a few of the ground’s notable landmarks. It can accommodate 11,600 spectators.
10. The Kensington Oval
In Bridgetown, Barbados, Kensington Oval, the tenth-oldest cricket venue in the world, is situated. It was founded in 1882 by members of the Pickwick Cricket Club (PCC), who gave it the name Lord Kensington in honor of their club patron. As the headquarters of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) are located there, the stadium is sometimes referred to as the “Mecca of West Indies Cricket” and the “Home of Barbados Cricket.” In 1930, West Indies and England played their first Test match at Kensington Oval, which has subsequently played host to several historic games, including Frank Worrell’s double century in 1954, Brian Lara’s 400-run world record in 2004, and West Indies’ World T20 victory in 2010. The Garfield Sobers Pavilion, the Greenidge and Haynes Stand, and the Worrell, Weekes and Walcott Stand are just a few of the contemporary stands that can accommodate up to 28,000 people at the stadium.
