The New Zealand cricket team, commonly known as Blackcaps, was the fifth nation to find a spot on the elite cricket test list. New Zealand became a test country for cricket in 1930, playing its first test match against England at Christchurch. However, it took them over 26 years to have their first test win. Today, New Zealand’s cricket team falls among the well-established teams in international cricket. Not only does it prepare world-class players for the international arena. it also boasts some of the most beautiful sports stadiums thronged by cricket enthusiasts during matches and tournaments. Here are the ten most famous cricket stadiums in New Zealand.
1. Hagley Oval
Although this stadium was established in 1851, it saw its first one-day international match in 2014. New Zealand’s Hagley Oval Cricket Ground has a capacity of 18,000. With its first international match on 25 December 2014 played between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, this stadium became New Zealand’s eighth test place. The match was easily won by New Zealand with eight wickets. This ground also saw the fastest hundred to be scored by a cricketer in a test match. This feat was achieved by Brandon McCallum who scored the fastest 100 in a test match in just 54 balls. This cricket paradise was completed in time to host the 2015 World Cup opening match. Although cricket has been played here since 1851, some concerned residents have tried to turn it into a modern venue because of its perceived environmental impact.
2. Seddon Park
Seddon Park in Hamilton is one of the most scenic places to watch cricket. Built in 1950, the Seddon Park Cricket Ground in New Zealand has the capacity to hold 10,000 spectators for a cricket match. The first test match played here was between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in 1991 that ended up in a draw. The first ODI at Seddon Park was held between New Zealand and India in 1981. Alongside cricket, it is also used to host other sporting events such as hockey and rugby. Kane Williamson has a record to assess the highest individual test runs, 200, while Ross Taylor has the most runs, 908 on this ground.
3. Basin Reserve
New Zealand's oldest cricket stadium, Basin Reserve, was built in 1866. The first-ever Basin Reserve cricket match was played between Wellington Volunteers and HMS Falcon in 1868. New Zealand Basin Reserve Cricket Ground has the capacity to hold 11,600 spectators and is the home ground of the team Wellington Firebirds. The stadium hosts all three formats tournaments and is considered to be New Zealand’s most historic stadium. The first international test match was played here between New Zealand and England in 1930, and the first ODI was held in 1975 between the same teams. The Basin is still the best in the country as it was built for the cricket cathedral, which dates back to the sport's origins.
4. Eden Park
The Eden Park site in New Zealand is famous for New Zealand's first test victory over the West Indies in 1955. One of New Zealand's most renowned cricket stadiums, Eden Park, was founded in 1900 and had a capacity to hold 41,000 spectators. At the same time, the stadium is too much of a concrete rugby-themed jungle to enjoy cricket properly. The first test match was played here between New Zealand and England in 1930, and the stadium hosted the first ODI in 1976 between New Zealand and India. A day that New Zealanders can never forget was when the Blackcaps were all out with just 26 runs against England in 1955 on this ground, their lowest score ever.
5. Wellington Regionalstpac Stadium
Previously known as Westpac Stadium, the Wellington Regional Stadium or Sky Stadium was established in 1999 andis one of the largest stadiums in New Zealand. It has a capacity of 34,500 spectators. The site is also used for football and rugby matches, in addition to cricket. New Zealand’s first test game at this stadium was played between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in December 2018, while the first ODI was played between New Zealand and the West Indies in 2000. Westpac Stadiums are known primarily for hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup and 2015 Cricket World Cup matches. This stadium has also witnessed Martin Guptill’s legendary double ton in the 2015 World Cup.
6. Lancaster Park
Lancaster Park was the witness to New Zealand’s first home test match against England was hosted in 1930. It was a cricket ground for a long before rugby took over. This stadium has a capacity of 35,000 audiences. This stadium also witnessed some of Richard Hadlee’s best moments, including taking his 400th wicket. This stadium became the first in the country to host day/night cricket with the installation of light in 1996 Despite its small playing surface not being very suitable for cricket, this ground developed into one of the most modern ones among the stadiums of New Zealand before the 2011 earthquake. Lancaster now sits abandoned, with the Hadlee Stand demolished. Cricket fans in Christchurch are probably a lot better off with Hagley Oval.
7. Carisbrook
On Brook’s famous concrete terrace, students witnessed the burning of couches on a beer-soaked afternoon. Visiting teams from India and Sri Lanka often froze in the springy climate of Dunedin, while a one-day player in the light could force outfield players to wear two or sometimes three jerseys. The famous Shell Cup Final was held here in 1993 when Canterbury returned home with a victory, and several angry locals were arrested on their way home for drunken behavior. The stadium has a capacity of more than 29,000 people.
8. Queenstown Events Center
Queenstown Oval looks excellent on TV with the world’s most stunning backdrop for any cricket ground, the Remarkable Mountains, but sadly, many of the ODIs played here have been hit by rainy weather. Corey Anderson broke his world record of scoring a ton in 36 balls against West Indies in 2014, but the game could not proceed beyond 21 overs in this match. This ground has never hosted a single test match, and, the weather being too unpredictable, probably never will. This stadium has a capacity of around 19,000 people.
9. Owen Delany Park
The Owen Delany Park field hosted its last of two-night events in 2001 when it was criticized for having poor playing surface and lighting towers that did not meet international standards. Competitors have complained that it was nearly impossible to hit the ball and score at night on the cricket ground due to the poor lighting. Owen Delany Park is also known as Taupo International Cricket Stadium. This Stadium has a capacity of 15,000 spectators but is dead now.
10. McLean Park
Another small pitched ground, McLean Park is more rugby-friendly than for our summer game cricket. The boundaries of the squares of this ground in Napier are the shortest in the world. Tim Southee fell in love with the pitch in his debut test match against England in 2008 as he knocked nine sixes during his debut test match. He scored 77 out of 44 balls which still remainsSouthee's highest score. McLean Park, tastefully rebuilt over the years, is one of the best today only because it doesn't have many competitors. This stadium has the capacity of more than 10,500 audiences.
