Prisca Vaniyapilly in Travel

Top 7 Cricket Stadiums in the World

Cricket, Cricket & Cricket! The sport Cricket is loved not only in the continent of Asia but in the whole world. It is played in many different locations, from the backyards and local suburban ovals to international stadiums filled with thousands of spectators. For travellers who love this sport, there’s no better way to combine two passions than a visit to a famed stadium while you’re on your holiday vacation. What better way to learn about a new country then to immerse yourself in the culture. It is almost impossible to go somewhere in the world where cricket isn’t a predominant part of everyday life. There doesn’t even need to be a game on, you need to only pause in their empty stands to soak up the history and energy of these shrines to sporting passion.

Out of all the cricket stadiums in the world, there are some grounds which stand out due to their historical significance and environment. Hence, we present you 7 of the best cricket grounds in the world:

1. Lord’s Cricket Stadium, London (England)

Lord’s Cricket Stadium

Widely known as the “home of cricket”, Lord’s Cricket Ground is the world’s oldest sporting museum. The stadium was built in 1814 and named in the honour of Thomas Lord: an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1787 to 1802. It had witnessed India’s unforgettable victories amongst which the most significant was when Kapil Dev led the team to win the World Cup of 1983 and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly took off his shirt to celebrate the Natwest Trophy final win. The Four finals of the World Cups have been played here. In 2014, it celebrated its two-hundredth years.

2. Eden Gardens, Kolkata (India)

Eden Gardens

Home to the Kolkata Knight Riders, it is popularly known as ‘The Mecca of Indian Cricket’. It is the second biggest ground in the world after MCG and is capable of holding almost 68,000 spectators at a time. This Indian stadium is one of the most historic, oldest and famous stadium situated in Kolkata which was established in 1864. Eden Gardens hosted some of the great games in world cricket famously the 1987 World Cup match against Pakistan which India won by 2 wickets. It signifies India’s greatest wins and is proved to be a lucky charm for the Indian players like when Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman set the stage for the greatest come from behind victory against Australia in 2001 and also the spin magic generated by Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble against Pakistan and Australia.

3. Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, Durban (South Africa)

Kingsmead Cricket Stadium

It was formerly known as the Sahara Stadium and has two ends named, Umgeni and Old Fort Road Ends. The Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban is one of the largest cricket stadiums in South Africa. This famous cricket stadium has staged the World Cup semi-final between India and Kenya. Kingsmead is a 25 000-seater stadium located within walking distance of Durban’s famed Indian Ocean shoreline.

4. Melbourne Cricket Stadium, Melbourne (Australia)

Melbourne Cricket Stadium

The MCG is more than just a sports venue. It’s a place where memories are made, and childhood dreams come alive. It is the largest stadium in the world and holds the world record for the highest light towers at any sporting venue. Opened in the year 1853, the Melbourne Cricket Ground can accommodate more than 1,00,000 spectators but its built for multi-sports as aussie role soccer and occasional rugby matches are played at this stadium. The MCG is remembered worldwide as the main stadium of the 1956 Summer Olympics. Excited already!

5. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (India)

Wankhede Stadium

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was established in 1974 with a capacity of 32,000 and is originated under Mumbai Cricket Association. The Wankhede Stadium has stands after one of the most famous cricketers like Vijay Merchant, Sunil Gavaskar and the legend Sachin Tendulkar. The ICC World Cup 2011 in which the final was held between Sri Lanka and India where India won that match and lift the World Cup for the second time ever after 28 years is one of the most memorable incident which no Indian can forget as well as the others.

6. Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah (UAE)

Sharjah Stadium

This marvelous Cricket Stadium is situated in the emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates that was constructed in the year 1980. In the year 2010, this famous cricket stadium became the home ground of Afghanistan cricket team for One Day International and First Class matches, which remained for near about six years. This famous cricket stadium was initially started with limited seats and very modest facilities but as the time changed, there had been 27,000 seating capacity in 2002 as well as floodlights. Two of its Ends are Pavilion End and Sharjah Club End. So, don’t miss out on Sharjah Cricket Stadium when you travel to UAE.

7. Newlands, Cape Town (South Africa)

Newlands Stadium

One of the most picturesque grounds in the world, set in the backdrop of the Table Mountains, Newlands is one of the few venues in South Africa known to assist spinners. Home of Western Province Cricket and the Cape Cobras, Newlands in Cape Town, has been an international venue since 1889, when it first hosted a Test match between South Africa and England. In sunshine, it looks as if one has landed in paradise to watch a game of cricket in relaxation as you sit down on one of the 25,000 white seats in the ground. With the unmistakable and distinctive Devils Peak and Table Mountains sitting almost directly in the background of the batting and bowling action, it’s not hard to see why. No matter how exciting (or otherwise), the happenings on the playing field, the sight of the deep red and orange colour of the African sun as it sets behind the stadium, is a truly unforgettable sight.

Now that you are aware, in the world there are quite a few stadiums that are true wonders of history and architecture, and even if you are not a cricket fan, you should get to know and even visit them when you’re travelling to these destinations.

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" Prisca Vaniyapilly : ."