Did you know that cricket, a sport that’s usually associated with big stadiums and impressive displays, but can also be enjoyed in smaller and more beautiful venues all over the globe? It’s true! It’s always great to see big stadiums in the world, but there’s just something special about a small cricket stadium. They provide a fantastic experience for players and fans alike. Let’s take a closer look to discover some of the world’s tiniest cricket stadiums. These smallest stadiums offer an up-close experience where you can feel the excitement of the game and hear the cheers of the crowd.
Smallest Cricket Stadium:
The smallest cricket stadiums are venues that offer a unique and close-knit experience for fans. These compact arenas create an atmosphere where viewers feel remarkably connected to the game as they’re near the action on the field. These stadiums may not have the largest seating capacity, but the atmosphere they create is fantastic. Here are some small cricket stadium, read this and enjoy the cricket from the stadium.
Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland, New Zealand:
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Located in the charming city of Auckland, New Zealand, the Eden Park Outer Oval is a perfect example of how small a stadium can be beautiful. With a capacity of approximately 50,000, this cricket ground offers a unique and intimate setting for players and viewers. However, this stadium is famous for rugby union & cricket games.
Watching a game at Eden Park Outer Oval is a thrilling experience due to its boundary length. The straight boundaries stretch to around 55 meters, which is best for the player to shots perfectly to throw the ball out of the boundary.
On the other hand, the square boundaries are relatively shorter, measuring approximately 50 meters. These dimensions create a balanced dynamic between bat and ball, making matches here a fascinating spectacle of skills and strategies.
Previous matches played at Eden Park:
Match Type | Date | Teams |
First Test | 14–17 February 1930 | New zealand vs England |
Last Test | 22–26 March 2018 | New zealand vs England |
First ODI | 22 February 1976 | New zealand vs India |
Last ODI | 25 March 2023 | New zealand vs Srilanka |
First T20I | 17 February 2005 | New zealand vs Australia |
Last T20I | 2 April 2023 | New zealand vs Srilanka |
Upcoming events at Eden Park Outer Oval, 2023:
I wanted to inform you that the FIFA Women’s World Cup Semi-Final was played at this stadium on Tuesday, August 15th, 2023, from 6 pm to 10 pm. However, the final of this tournament was played on August 20th, 2023, at the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Some other matches will also happen at Eden Park Outer Stadium, so feel free to check those out too.
Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:
Match Type | Date | Teams |
First ODI | 12 September 2006 | Australia vs West Indies |
Last ODI | 30 August 2018 | Nepal vs United Arab Emirates |
First T20I | 24 June 2019 | Malaysia vs Thailand |
Last T20I | 26 February 2020 | Malaysia vs Hong Kong |
First WODI | 18 October 2018 | Pakistan vs Australia |
Last WODI | 14 December 2019 | Pakistan vs England |
First WT20I | 3 June 2018 | Malaysia vs India |
Last WT20I | 25 June 2022 | Malaysia vs United Arab Emirates |
Closed | 30 June 2022 (Permanently) |
Located in the exciting city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Kinrara Academy Oval is a wonderful cricket stadium that offers a great sports experience. Did you know the stadium held its first match back in 2005? What’s even more fascinating is that the stadium was built in 2003! However, The stadium was closed on 30 June 2022.
This small stadium might not have massive seating, with an approximate capacity of 4,000, but it more than makes up for it with its unique charm and exciting matches. It seems the discussion regarding the boundary length and width of the stadium may not be necessary anymore, as it has been permanently closed.
Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin, Australia:
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Have you ever heard of Marrara Cricket Ground? It’s a fascinating small stadium located in Australia with a capacity of 15,000 (5000 seating). If you’re a cricket fan, you’ll love the intimate experience this stadium offers. Marrara Stadium hosted its first match in February 1992 by the Australian Football League (AFL).
Previous matches played at Marrara Stadium:
Match Type | Date | Teams |
First Test | 18–20 July 2003 | Australia vs Bangladesh |
Last Test | 1–3 July 2004 | Australia vs Srilanka |
First ODI | 6 August 2003 | Australia vs Bangladesh |
Last ODI | 6 September 2008 | Australia vs Bangladesh |
Holkar Stadium, Indore, India:
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Located in the city of Indore, India, the Holkar Stadium is a real treasure for cricket enthusiasts. Over the years, it has witnessed numerous unforgettable moments that have made history in the cricketing world.
If you’re a fan of cricket in Central India, you’ll want to check out the Holkar Stadium! It’s got a great capacity of around 30,000 and is named after the Holkar dynasty of the Marathas. It’s a perfect spot for catching some exciting matches. Additionally, Holker was established in 1990, which means it has been around for quite some time.
Previous matches played at Holkar Stadium:
Match Type | Date | Teams |
First Test | 8–11 October 2016 | India vs New zealand |
Last Test | 1–3 March 2023 | India vs Australia |
First ODI | 15 April 2006 | India vs England |
Last ODI | 24 January 2023 | India vs New zealand |
First T20I | 22 December 2017 | India vs Srilanka |
Last T20I | 4 October 2022 | India vs South Africa |
VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen, Netherlands:
Are you aware of the VRA Cricket in Amstelveen, Netherlands? It’s a small yet charming stadium with a seating capacity of approximately 7,000.
The first international cricket match on this ground was played between the Netherlands and New Zealand in 1978. It’s also hosted some One Day Internationals matches, including a match during the 1999 ICC World Cup. However, the most recent match on this ground was played on June 22, 2022.
Previous matches played at VRA Cricket Ground:
Match Type | Date | Teams |
First ODI | 26 May 1999 | Kenya vs South Africa |
Last ODI | 22 June 2022 | Netherlands vs England |
First T20I | 30 June 2015 | Netherlands vs Nepal |
Last T20I | 5 August 2019 | Netherlands vs United Arab Emirates |
First WODI | 26 June 2002 | Netherlands vs New zealand |
Last WODI | 7 July 2023 | Netherlands vs Thailand |
First WT20I | 7 July 2018 | Scotland vs Uganda |
Last WT20I | 14 July 2018 | Thailand vs Uganda |
Recently Matches at VRA Cricket Ground:
I want to inform you that a T20 cricket match was played at the VRA cricket ground between the Netherlands Women and Ireland Women on Wednesday, 16 August 2023, at 5:30 p.m. Another match was played on Thursday, 17 August 2023, at 5:30 p.m.
The Grange Cricket & Sports Club, Edinburgh:
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The Grange Club, situated in the city of Edinburgh in Scotland, is a small cricket stadium. This stadium has space for around 4,000 to 5,000 visitors and provides a delightful mix of top-notch cricket and lovely surroundings. Did you know that The Grange is not just for cricket? There are also other sports that you can enjoy there!
The Grange has hosted various international matches over the years. The Grange also hosted Scotland’s first One Day International (ODI) match on 27 June 2006.
Previous matches played at Grange Cricket Club:
Match Type | Date | Teams |
First ODI | 24 May 1999 | Scotland vs Bangladesh |
Last ODI | 31 July 2022 | Scotland vs New zealand |
First T20I | 9 July 2015 | Scotland vs United Arab Emirates |
Last T20I | 28 July 2023 | Scotland vs Ireland |
Recently Event at The Grange Cricket Club:
An event was held about a BBQ Summer Social on Thursday, August 31st, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Grange Cricket Club.
Riverway Stadium, Townsville:
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind cricketing experience, you’ll want to check out Riverway Stadium in Townsville, Australia. It’s an amazing combination of thrilling sports and breathtaking natural scenery. It has a seating capacity of 10,000, & offers a beautiful vibrant atmosphere for cricket enthusiasts.
In November 2014, something special happened at the stadium when it welcomed debutants Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong for its first international match.
Previous matches played at Riverway Stadium:
Match Type | Date | Teams |
First ODI | 8 November 2014 | Hong Kong vs Papua New Guinea |
Last ODI | 3 September 2022 | Australia vs Zimbabwe |
First T20 | 6 February 2016 | Ireland vs Papua New Guinea |
Last T20 | 9 February 2016 | Ireland vs Papua New Guinea |
FAQ
Which is the smallest stadium in cricket history?
Eden Park, situated in New Zealand, is the smallest international cricket stadium in the world. It may be small in size, but it’s big on excitement and thrills!
Are cricket stadiums used for other events besides cricket?
Absolutely yes, many cricket stadiums are multi-purpose venues that host concerts, other sports events, and cultural gatherings, enhancing their utility and value.
What is the largest cricket stadium in the world?
The largest cricket stadium in the world is the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, with a seating capacity of over 132,000.
Do stadiums have different capacities for different formats of the game?
Yes, some stadiums have variable capacities for Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) matches, depending on the demand and the format’s popularity.