It always surprises me that cricket is not the national game of our country. Urban or rural, the love for the game is amazing and infectious. I think all Indians, at some point of time in their life, have played the game on the road, gully or just any open space! But just imagine what it would be like to play in one of the world-class stadiums with massive crowds cheering. So, which are the best places to watch cricket?
HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
Photo credit: Pranav Bhasin/Wikimedia
At an elevation of 4,110 feet above sea level, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharmshala has been described as the most attractive cricket ground in India, against the scenic backdrop of the snow-capped Dhauladhar Mountains. With a capacity of 23,000, it has very recently started hosting international matches. The stadium has world class facilities and is also considered to have the best pitch in India.
This stadium came into the limelight in 2010 when some of the IPL T20 matches were played here. The first international match played at these beautiful grounds was between India and England on January 27, 2013.
This stadium is also the home to Kings IX Punjab, which is currently leading at the IPL 2014.
The Lord’s, London
Photo credit: Mark Hillary/flickr
Known as the ‘Home of Cricket’, Lord’s Cricket Ground in London is the oldest Cricket stadium in the world, completing 200 years in its present location. The first, now known as the Lord’s Old Ground was used between 1787 and 1811. The second, Lord’s Middle Ground was used up until 1814. The present ground is only 250 yards north-west of the middle site. Lord’s has a capacity of 30,000.
There are two design features which are very interesting at the Lord’s. One is the significant slope across the field. The north-west side is 6 feet 8 inches higher than the south-east side. This causes an appreciable deviation in the bounce of the ball, easily moving it in, towards a right-handed batsmen, when bowled from the Pavilion end and moving it out when bowling from the Nursery end. The other design feature is the Media Centre, which is the first semi-monocoque, all aluminium building in the world. It stands 49 feet above the ground, approximately the height of the pavilion on the other side, with its sole support being the structure around the lift shaft.
When in London, you can actually book a tour of the Lord’s and see the historical grounds and it’s memorabilia for yourself. England will be battling it out here, in an ODI Series on the 31st of May against Sri Lanka and playing test matches with India between the 17th – 21st of July.
MCG, Melbourne
Photo credit: Alan Isherwood/flickr
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is the second largest cricket stadium with a capacity to hold 100,000 spectators. Established in 1854, this historic stadium has seen many firsts. The first Test match was played here between Australia and England in 1877, Test cricket’s first century was scored at MCG, the first One Day International was played here in 1971, the first full-colour cricket score board was displayed here and many more such firsts. Not only have the country’s biggest cricket matches taken place at MCG for the last 100 years, it also hosts the Australian Rules football matches and other important sporting events.
Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Wanderers Stadium is the third cricket ground in Johannesburg, after the old Wanderers (now the railway station) and the Ellis Park Rugby Stadium. It can accommodate 34,000 spectators. The first 1st class match was played in 1956. In the same year the ground also witnessed the best Test bowling by Hugh Tayfield (SA) who took 9 wickets for 113 runs against England. The pitch table, which has been laid many a time, at present comprises 10 pitches. The playing field is undoubtedly one of the finest in the world.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
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Back home, our oldest stadium, Eden Gardens, with a capacity of 1,10,000, is the largest stadium in the world. The first Test match was played in 1934 against team England, led by Douglas Jardine. It is known as one of the liveliest stadiums with the most enthusiastic crowds, definitely adding to the glory of the game. The pitch has traditionally been on the slower side, making it good for batting and spin bowlers. One of the most memorable matches played here was in 2001 when VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid managed to beat Australia, coming in the way of their 17th straight win! Laxman scored a whopping 281, the highest score by a batsman on this field.
The Eden Gardens is of course home to team KKR, which is currently battling the other IPL teams for the winning spot.
Kingsmead, Durban
Photo credit: Marc Forrest/flickr
Originally known as the Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, this renowned cricket stadium is situated within walking distance of South Africa’s beautiful Indian Ocean shoreline. A famous myth about the stadium is that the changing tides help the swing bowlers move their ball nicely through the air. Many losing teams have jokingly blamed their loss on the tide! This stadium has a capacity of 25,000 and is the largest stadium in South Africa. The first One Day International was played as recently as 1992 even though its first Test match was played in 1923. The longest Test match on record was played here in 1939 between England and South Africa. After 9 days of play the ‘timeless test’ match had to be declared a draw because team England was going to miss their ship back home!
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Photo credit: Chennupati/flickr
The SGC, Sydney has been put on the same stature as Lord’s, as one of the two most famous cricket grounds in the world, where the greatest games of cricket have been played. Even though it has a seating capacity of 46,000, you are ensured great visibility from any place around the field. The stands have special names – Brewongle, O’Reilly, Churchill, Doug Walter and Noble and not to forget the green-roofed ladies pavilion which is a famous landmark in cricket.
Cricket has been played at these grounds since 1848. The pitches were always favourable for batting and massive scores have been produced here, the highest being 452*, the personal best of Sir Donald Bradman. But over the years, it has come to be known as a spinner’s paradise.
Visit the SCG not only to see why it is one of the best places to watch cricket but also to witness history come alive with a behind-the-scene tour of the Ground, Allianz Stadium and the museum.
Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Photo credit: WeLiveCricket.com/flickr
The Old Trafford ground has hosted Test matches since 1884. 1956 was a year that went down in the Hall of Fame when the understated Jim Laker took the Australians down, with match figures like 19 for 90. Again in 1981, Australia was a victim when Ian Botham hooked Dennis Lillee into the stands. 1995 saw Dominic Cork start the Sunday morning with a hat-trick in the opening over! The India vs Pakistan match in the 1999 World Cup saw more than the capacity of 22,000 thronging the stadium. The stadium has seen music concerts in the middle of cricket season but that doesn’t come in the way of the grounds to be ready for play.
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Photo credit: Hasindu2008/wikimedia
A stadium in the middle of a hill station with tea plantations is a sight to behold. Gentle hills covered in lush green trees surround the stadium and, in keeping with the surroundings, the spectators inside can sprawl on grass banks and enjoy the match. This young stadium, with a capacity of 35,000, was opened in 2009 to replace the Asgiriya Stadium, which hosted Test matches. In 2010, the name of this stadium was changed to Muttiah Muralitharan International Stadium to honour its legendary player. The first Test match was played in December 2010 between Sri Lanka and West Indies. Some of the ODIs from the 2011 ICC World Cup and 2012 ICC World Twenty 20 were hosted here. By taking a Test wicket off the first ball at a new venue, Suranga Lakmal joined the league of Kapil Dev and Imran Khan as the third bowler to do so.
Kensington Oval, Barbados
Originally built on a pasture in a plantation just 600 yards from the coast, the Kensington Oval has become one the most remarkable grounds in the Caribbean. Originally the stadium could hold only 15,000 spectators and used to get crammed with tourists especially when England visited. In 2004-05 the stadium was demolished and the new stadium, with a capacity of 28,000, was ready to host the World Cup finals. The pitch, though fast and bouncy, always seems to be in favour of the batsman. Historically, this stadium has hosted the first England touring side in 1895, the first combined West Indies side, against MCC in 1910 and the West Indies’ first Test in 1930. It was in this match that Andrew Sandham hit a first Test triple hundred with a score of 325.
Pick your favourite stadium or visit them all. While you can catch the current IPL matches live, tickets for the ICC World Cup 2015, hosted by Australia are already up for sale! So, hurry!