1 Eden Gardens
Popularly known as the “Mecca of Indian cricket,” the Eden Gardens is the second-largest stadium in India (capacity: 68,000) and the third-largest stadium in the world. It is one of the iconic cricket stadiums of the world, and is known for its electric atmosphere during the cricket matches. Established in 1864, the Eden Gardens has been a part of major historic cricket events in Indian and world cricket.
2 Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia
Another iconic stadium is the Adelaide Oval, built way back in 1871. With a spectator capacity of 53,583, the oval-shaped arena hosted its first international in December 1884, a Test match between Australia and England. It received a major redevelopment in 2014 to become the biggest stadium in South Australia and the new home of Australian football in the state. It now boasts world-class facilities and even its own hotel.
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3 Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
R G International stadium has a capacity of 55,000 cricket fans.
In Hyderabad, RG stadium is spread in 63 acres of area.
IPL is the league that is mostly playing in this stadium.
The stadium is the home ground of the Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Hyderabad, and the Indian teams.
The final matches of the 2017 and 2019 Indian Premier League were played in this stadium.
4 Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
Locally known as “The G”, it has a capacity of 1,00,024. It was built in 1853 and has hosted a multitude of important sports events like the 1956 Summer Olympics, 2006 Commonwealth Games, and the 1992 and 2015 Cricket World Cups. The stadium provides stunning views of the city and into Yarra Park.
The roof made of glass and metal shelters three grand glass atriums leading to the three entrances. A new feature of the renovated stadium is the expansion of the Australian Gallery of Sports which is now a part of the National Sports Museum which also features interactive devices.
5 The Oval, London, England – 28,000
The Oval, also known as the Kia Oval for sponsorship reasons, is a cricket ground located in Kennington, London, England. It has a seating capacity of 28,000 and is the home ground of the Surrey County Cricket Club.
The ground was first established in 1845 and has a rich history, having hosted several significant cricket matches over the years, including the first-ever Test match in England in 1880. It has also hosted football matches in the past, most notably the FA Cup final between 1872 and 1892.
6 Western Australian Cricket Association Ground
Location: Perth, Australia
Capacity: 20,000
Establishment: 1890
Western Australian Cricket Association Ground (WACA) is regarded as the home of cricket in Western Australia.
Moreover, it’s a sports stadium. But, WACA is mainly renowned as a cricket stadium.
Alongside being one of the best cricket stadiums, it has established a reputation as the fastest and bounciest pitch globally.
In addition, the combination of afternoon sea breezes and pitches has made WACA an attractive ground for fast and swing bowlers.
In 2021, redevelopment works started at WACA ground and its due to be completed by 2023. The estimated cost of the plans is $75 million.
Furthermore, WACA has a cricket museum near the stadium. Besides memorabilia of Australian cricket history, other sports are also displayed in WACA.
For the 2023 Western Australian Cricket Association Ground has consciously towards the $115m project to revitalize the east Perth cricket ground is underway with an all-abilities playground added to the design plan as a positive development.
7 Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Shaheed Veer Narayan Stadium has been replaced with the Naya Raipur International Cricket Stadium. This stadium is home to the Indian teams Chhattisgarh and Delhi Capitals. The Naya Raipur stadium in Chattisgarh was constructed in 2008 and had a 65,000-seat capacity. In 2010, the Canadian national and Chhattisgarh cricket teams played a game at Shaheed Veer Narayan Stadium. An international match has not yet been played here.
8 Port Elizabeth (St George’s Oval)
Location: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Capacity: 19,000
Built: 1885
Teams: Eastern Cape, Warriors, South Africa.
Atmosphere: 6
Generally speaking, this one of the quieter venues on the Rainbow Nation’s cricketing circuit. However, the place comes to life for internationals.
History: 6
Another stadium to have been heavily regenerated post 2000. Back in 1988, the ground staged the first ever Test match that took place outside of England and Australia.
Aesthetics: 5
With its iconic four-tier Duckpond End stand, St George’s Oval is one of the more recognisable cricketing stadiums in South Africa and comes complete with the requisite grass banks to lounge on.
Total: 17
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9 Lord’s in London, United Kingdom
Lord’s Cricket Ground, the home of cricket
Known as the ‘home of cricket’, Lord’s is the most famous cricket ground in the world. It was built in 1814 and named after Thomas Lord, the owner of Marylebone Cricket Club (the body that controls the laws of cricket) at the time. History has been made here, with over 100 Test matches played and numerous records won – Graham Gooch is the highest Test run scorer at the ground with 2,015 runs. Lord’s is also home to the world’s oldest sporting museum, where you’ll find a collection of memorabilia including a stuffed sparrow that was struck while airborne by Jahangir Khan’s powerful bowl during a match in 1936. Enjoy a cold beer here at the first Test of summer, with the Victorian pavilion and bright green grounds forming a pretty picture against the blue sky. The Warrington Hotel is a Victorian pub and hotel just a short walk from Lord’s.
10 Old Trafford, Manchester (England)
Old Trafford Manchester
The ground’s name is the same as the football one which is the home ground to the popular club, Manchester United. But the cricket ground is different, as it is at a distance of five minutes. It was established as early as in 1857, but the first Test match played here was in 1884 between England and Australia.
Having a capacity of 19000, it is the third ground in the country of England to host the most number of Test matches, after Lords and the Oval since it has hosted as many as 73 Tests. The two ends of the ground are the Pavilion End to the north and the Brian Statham End (formerly the Warwick Road End) to the south, which is renamed in honour of the legendary Lancashire and England player. The section of Warwick Road at the back of this end is also known as Brian Statham Way. The Old Trafford Metrolink station is connected to the south-eastern part of the ground, making it easy for people to have access for entry.
Famously, people had to be sent home for the final day of the 2005 Ashes Test which was set for another gripping finish. England was in such form that it seemed as if the entire country was rallying behind them. Eventually, the match was a draw but it was a thrilling one as England were only 1 wicket from posting another win in the series, despite a resistant and brilliant 156 from Australian captain Ricky Ponting which proved to be a match saving ton.
Other great cricketing moments have been the maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s first Test hundred coming at this ground against England in the second innings of the 1990 Test match, at the age of 17. Three years later, the spin king Shane Warne also made a name for himself in international cricket by delivering the ‘ball of the century’ to Michael Gatting, the England captain. While in 1956, it was in Old Trafford that Jim Laker, the English off-spinner became the first bowler ever to pick up all the 10 wickets in an innings, and that was against Australia. It is early proof how the ground has been amongst the most spin friendly in the country.
Old Trafford is also said to be amongst the wettest grounds in England, which is probably the reason why it is still undergoing massive redevelopment plans. Yet, it continues to remain in favour of the England and Wales Cricket Board and is the home ground for Lancashire, which has produced cricketers such as Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson amongst popular cricketers from the last decade.