Top 11 most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world
The game of cricket requires much more than a mere 22-yard pitch to play on. Ground conditions, outfield situations apart from the weather and location play a major role in the outcome of a game. Usually in cricket the flow of crowd in stadiums mostly depends on the teams playing the game however the available facilities within the stadium and site matters as well. Though most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world are not always the crowded ones however depending on the opponents they offer much more than just cricket. Most beautiful cricket stadiums do not just benefit from the exotic vicinity but also from good amount of money spent on enclosures. A prolifically constructed stadium along with a lush green outfield usually attracts much more fan-traffic as compared to coarsely taken care grounds. 11 of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world can be listed as under.
11 most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world
01. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – Australia
Melbourne Cricket Ground is not just one of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world, it has a lot of other unique features as well. The largest cricket stadium in terms of crowed capacity is the 10th overall biggest stadium in the world. The World Cup 2015 final hosting venue has recently been renovated to present a more scenic view to the cricket fans from all over the world. Having a crowed capacity of over 95,000 the stadium is being used for multiple sports events including soccer and rugby apart from cricket. So far two Cricket world cup finals have been played on ‘The G’ – final of the world cup 1992 and 2015.
02. The Lords, London, England
In reply of Australia’s largest cricket ground, their arch rivals England has the ‘Home of cricket. The Lord’s cricket ground London is yet another master piece of human construction. One of the most beautiful cricket grounds in world has been used for four cricket world cup finals so far. Holding a spectators capacity of over 28,000, the venue is not one of the best cricket stadiums in the world however proposals are being made to increase its crowed holding ability.
03. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala – India
Have you heard the saying ‘Christmas in July’? Surely you did, however if you want to watch this phrase taking tangible form, a visit to the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is a must. Situated at an altitude of 1,457 m above sea level, HPCA stadium is one of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in world. The latest addition to India’s sporting venues, Dharamshala stadium is a seasonal spot as a higher altitude does not allow any sporting events in winter season. The original host of the much awaited Pakistan vs India match in World Cup 2015 has a seating capacity of over 23,000.
04. Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – South Africa
One of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world due to its location, Newlands Cricket Ground is right in front of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak in Cape Town South Africa. One of the few grounds in South Africa that offer a little assistance to spin bowlers, Newlands Cricket Ground is one of the most picturesque venue for watching and playing the game. The ground has been a focus point of numerous construction works lately including the replacement of large grass embankments with the pavilion.
05. Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia
One of the most renowned cricket grounds in the world, SCG is another multi-sport venue in the heart of Australia. A perfect spot of all three formats of Cricket, Australian Rules football and rugby the stadium offers some of the best available facilities to its visitors. With a seating capacity of over 50000 spectators the venue is responsible for hosting the recently held ODI world cup’s semifinal which was ultimately won by the hosts Australia.
06. The Oval, Kensington – London
This is the venue which is responsible for one of the biggest sports rivalries in world, the cricket hostility between England and Australia was begun from here. Situated in the London Borough of Lambeth, South London, Kia Oval cricket ground is the venue having the honor of hosting the first ever international test match for England. The first ever test game on English soil was played at Oval back in September 1880. Moreover the legend of the most renowned test series in the world ‘The Ashes’ were also born on the same venue when England collapsed on just 78 runs while chasing a target of 85.
07.The Wanderers, Johannesburg – South Africa
One of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world located in the land of gold. The Wanderers stadium is responsible for hosting one of the most thrilling matches in cricket history. Whether it’s chasing down the word record highest ODI totals in history or a last-over thriller T20 finale between epic rivals India and Pakistan, The Wanderers has the honor of producing some magical spells of sport. Built in 1956, the stadium has a seating capacity of 34,000. The world cup 2003 final was also played down on the same ground which came up with Aussies as the winners.
08. The WACA, Perth – Australia
Western Australian Cricket Association stadium located in Perth Western Australia is known for its quickest pitch in the world. At one end the afternoon breeze helps the pacers create some fearsome swing while the fastest outfield helps batsmen gather runs. WACA has been responsible for some of the fastest centuries in test matches courtesy its exceptionally fast outfield. However more recently, one of the most beautiful stadiums has been facing financial issues after some other sports events were shifted to a nearby ground resulting in the reduction of both stadium’s size and seating capacity.
09. Sheikh Zayed Stadium – Abu Dhabi
Although United Arab Emirates have a rookie cricket team recently emerged on the international scene, the fact does no hold them back from maintaining one of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world. Used by Pakistan Cricket team as their adopted home venue after international cricket got barred from the country, the arena charged a total of $23 million to build. Apart from hosting Pakistan’s home series, the venue also holds the games between some of the associate countries including Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
10. Old Trafford, Manchester – England
England’s second oldest test venue is located in Old Trafford, Manchester. Host of the first ever Ashes series held in England, Old Trafford cricket stadium is one of the most renowned cricket grounds in the world. Witness of some of the most iconic cricket encounters in history, including a 1999 India-Pakistan brawl, the stadium has recently been getting its revenues from other sources as well.
11. Eden Park Auckland – New Zealand
Kiwi cricket grounds usually have a reputation of lush green outfields supported by some short boundaries. While the grassy pitches help bowlers get maximum pace, short boundaries assist batsmen thus creating some of the most thrilling cricket encounters in the world. As of most beautiful cricket grounds in the world, New Zealand is no way behind Australia or England. One of the most iconic cricket venue in the country is Eden Park cricket stadium located in Central Auckland. The opening match of the World Cup 2015 that proved to be a low scoring thriller was organized in the same ground.
Top 11 most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – Australia
- The Lords, London, England
- Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala – India
- Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – South Africa
- Sydney Cricket Ground – Australia
- The Oval, Kensington – London
- The Wanderers, Johannesburg – South Africa
- The WACA, Perth – Australia
- Sheikh Zayed Stadium – Abu Dhabi
- Old Trafford, Manchester – England
- Eden Park Auckland – New Zealand
