Smallest Cricket Stadiums in the World!
Cricket, the sport of records and statistics, doesn't just set records through its players; even the cricket stadiums have their share of world records! In this article, we will explore the tiniest cricket stadiums across the globe that have hosted at least one international cricket match. Join us as we take a fascinating tour of the smallest cricket venues in terms of boundary size and seating capacity!
 |
| Smallest Cricket Stadiums in the World! List of Smallest Cricket Stadiums by Capacity |
Table of Contents
| Sr# | Headings |
|---|---|
| 1 | Smallest International Cricket Stadium by Boundary |
| 2 | List of Smallest Cricket Stadiums by Boundary Length |
| 3 | Smallest International Cricket Stadium by Capacity |
| 4 | List of Smallest Cricket Stadiums by Capacity |
| 5 | Smallest Cricket Stadium in India (by Capacity) |
| 6 | Smallest Cricket Stadium in England (by Capacity) |
| 7 | Smallest Cricket Stadium in Australia (by Capacity) |
| 8 | What is the Minimum Size of a Cricket Field? |
| 9 | Final Thoughts |
| 10 | FAQs |
Smallest International Cricket Stadium by Boundary
When it comes to boundary size, Eden Park in New Zealand takes the crown as the smallest international cricket stadium. With a shortest straight boundary of about 55 meters and a square boundary of about 65 meters, it boasts one of the tiniest cricket fields in the world.
List of Smallest Cricket Stadiums by Boundary Length
- Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - Straight: 55 meters
- The Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa - Square: 64 meters
- Lord’s, London, England - Square: 65 meters
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India - Square: 66 meters
- Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - Square: 68 meters
Please note that boundary sizes can vary depending on pitch usage and boundary adjustments. The list includes only the most well-known stadiums due to limited available data.
Smallest International Cricket Stadium by Capacity
When considering seating capacity, the Grange Club Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, stands as the smallest international cricket stadium with a capacity of 5,000 spectators.
List of Smallest Cricket Stadiums by Capacity
- The Grange Club, Edinburgh, Scotland - 5,000
- Stormont Cricket Ground, Belfast, Ireland - 6,000
- Maple Leaf Cricket Club, Ontario, Canada - 7,000
- Traeger Park, Alice Springs, Australia - 7,200
- Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe - 9,000
- Boland Park, Paarl, South Africa - 10,000
- Riverway Stadium, Townsville, Australia - 10,000
- Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe - 10,000
- Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, West Indies - 10,000
- De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley, South Africa - 11,000
All these stadiums have hosted several international cricket matches.
Smallest Cricket Stadium in India (by Capacity)
Despite being a cricket-crazy nation, India has some lesser-known smaller cricket stadiums. Let's explore the top 5 smallest cricket stadiums in India based on their capacity.
- Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground, Rajkot - Capacity: 15,000
- Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior - Capacity: 18,000
- Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai - Capacity: 20,000
- K. D. Singh Babu Stadium, Lucknow - Capacity: 22,000
- HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala - Capacity: 23,000
The Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur is a close 6th with a seating capacity of 23,185 spectators.
Smallest Cricket Stadium in England (by Capacity)
England, being the home of cricket, is home to some of the world's oldest and most renowned cricket stadiums. Here are the smallest cricket stadiums in England based on their seating capacity.
- North Marine Road Ground, Scarborough - Capacity: 11,500
- County Ground, Taunton - Capacity: 12,500
- County Cricket Ground, Bristol - Capacity: 15,000
- St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury - Capacity: 15,000
- Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street - Capacity: 17,000
The Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham, famous for several international cricket matches in England, also has a capacity of 17,000 spectators.
Smallest Cricket Stadium in Australia (by Capacity)
Australia, known for its love of sports, including cricket, has some smaller stadiums in terms of capacity. Let's have a look at them:
- Traeger Park, Alice Springs - Capacity: 7,200
- Riverway Stadium, Townsville - Capacity: 10,000
- Manuka Oval, Canberra - Capacity: 12,000
- Marrara Oval, Darwin - Capacity: 12,500
- Cazaly Stadium, Cairns - Capacity: 13,500
While Australia has a few smaller stadiums, it is better known for the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, one of the biggest stadiums globally, renowned for its rich cricket history.
What is the Minimum Size of a Cricket Field?
According to the ICC's standard playing conditions law 20.1.3, no boundary should be shorter than 59.43 meters and no longer than 82.29 meters from the center of the pitch. The overall diameter of a cricket field can vary between 137 meters and 150 meters. To know more about cricket field size and some fascinating cricket grounds with trees, check out our other article on the topic!
Final Thoughts
While larger cricket stadiums often grab the headlines, exploring the smallest ones can be equally intriguing. These tiny venues have witnessed historic matches and showcased the passion of cricket fans worldwide. From New Zealand's Eden Park to Scotland's Grange Club, each stadium has its unique charm, making it an essential part of cricket's diverse landscape.
FAQs
Q: Which is the smallest cricket stadium in the world by boundary size?
- A: Eden Park in New Zealand is considered the smallest international cricket stadium by boundary due to its shortest straight boundary of about 55 meters.
Q: Which is the smallest international cricket stadium by seating capacity?
- A: The Grange Club Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, holds the title of the smallest international cricket stadium by seating capacity with 5,000 seats.
Q: What is the minimum size of a cricket field?
- A: According to the ICC's standard playing conditions, no boundary should be shorter than 59.43 meters and no longer than 82.29 meters from the center of the pitch, with an overall diameter between 137 meters and 150 meters.
Q: Is Eden Park exempt from the minimum boundary rule?
- A: Yes, the minimum boundary rule doesn't apply to stadiums built before October 2007. Eden Park falls under this exemption.
Q: What is the smallest cricket stadium in India?
- A: The Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground in Rajkot is the smallest cricket stadium in India with a seating capacity of 15,000.
With this comprehensive guide to the smallest cricket stadiums, you now have a better understanding of these unique venues. Whether you're a cricket enthusiast or just curious about the sport's lesser-known facts, exploring the smallest cricket stadiums is a delightful journey into the world of cricket history!