Ranking the Cricket World Cup Venues on Their Fan Appeal
The 2015 cricket World Cup is creeping closer, but which of the iconic venues being used in the ICC's showpiece tournament is the best?
Trying to judge them is a very subjective exercise; how do you compare an all-mod-cons stadium with a quaint, village green-type venue? But let's try anyway.
As per my "Ranking the World's Top 25 Cricket Grounds" article, to comprise this list, each venue was allocated points out of 10 over three categories (see below). Those scores were then aggregated into a total and ranked in ascending order.
Categories
Atmosphere: Is there a constant cacophony of sound? Does it make opposing players tremble in their spikes? Or is a more restrained, leather-on-willow-type atmosphere on offer?
History: How long has the ground been in use for? Which famous cricketing incidents occurred there? Have a plethora of records been set on the hallowed turf?
Aesthetics: How nice is the ground to look at? How scenic is its location? What is the surrounding area like?
Can you guess which 2015 World Cup venue comes out on top?
14. Saxton Oval
1 of 14
Location: Nelson
Capacity: 5,000
Built: 2009
Teams: New Zealand, Central Districts
World Cup fixtures
West Indies vs. Ireland, 16 February 2015
Zimbabwe vs. UAE, 19 February 2015
Bangladesh vs. Scotland, 5 March 2015
Atmosphere: 3
If the West Indies and Irish fans get going, the atmosphere could be sparkling, but the ground lends itself to the crack of leather on willow and polite ripples of applause.
History: 1
Purpose built in 2009, the Saxton was controversially named one of the World Cup grounds over the picturesque but poorly named Queenstown Events Centre. Hosting three matches of the ICC's premium tournament will be a litmus test.
Aesthetics: 7
A pleasing-on-the-eye circle of green grass with rolling hills as a backdrop, what more could you ask for?
Total: 11
13. McLean Park
2 of 14
Location: Napier
Capacity: 22,500
Built: 1911
Teams: Central Districts, New Zealand
World Cup fixtures
Pakistan vs. UAE, 4 March 2015
New Zealand vs. Afghanistan, 8 March 2015
West Indies vs. UAE, 15 March 2015
Atmosphere: 5
Not too big, not too small, McLean is a somewhat underrated ground and its soccer-like facade can produce a boisterous atmosphere on its day.
History: 4
The Napier faithful have witnessed just six Test matches in their home ground with limited-overs contests being much more regular visitors. The Hurricanes also play some of their Super League rugby clashes here.
Aesthetics: 3
While not too dissimilar to a lower-league English football ground, the side of the venue without a stand has a grassy knoll where fans can sit and enjoy the action.
Total: 12
12. Hagley Oval
3 of 14
Location: Christchurch
Capacity: 20,000
Built: 1886
Teams: New Zealand, Christchurch
World Cup fixtures
New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka, 14 February 2015
Pakistan vs. West Indies, 21 February 2015
England vs. Scotland, 23 February 2015
Atmosphere: 4
Hard to say with so little "past form" to go on, but the Cantabrians do love their cricket. And the new ground should be buzzing when Sri Lanka come to town for the World Cup's opening fixture.
History: 1
Although the first recorded cricket match in the area took place in 1867, Hagley Oval itself was built just a few years ago to replace Lancaster Park, which was destroyed in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
Since opening, it has held a handful of World Cup qualifiers and domestic cricket matches, but the actual World Cup will be its first major test.
Aesthetics: 7
The ground looks a picture, with an abundance of grass reminiscent of a quaint English out ground. On a lovely summer day, it could be spectacular.
Total: 12
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11. Manuka Oval
4 of 14
Location: Canberra
Capacity: 13,000
Built: 1929
Teams: Australia, Canberra Comets
World Cup fixtures
Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan, 18 February 2015
West Indies vs. Zimbabwe, 24 February 2015
South Africa vs. Ireland, 3 March 2015
Atmosphere: 2
Can be a little quiet with the lack of a state team, meaning major games are often fairly ceremonial affairs played out in front of indifferent crowds.
History: 5
Although it has yet to host a Test match, the ground has been in business since the 1930s, hosting cricket, rugby and Australian rules football contests.
Aesthetics: 6
A charming, if slightly quiet cricket arena, with several idiosyncratic features such as a curator's residence attached to the ground.
Total: 13
10. University Oval
5 of 14
Location: Dunedin
Capacity: 6,000
Built: 1873
Teams: New Zealand, Otago, Otago Volts
World Cup fixtures
New Zealand vs. Scotland, 17 February 2015
Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan, 22 February 2015
Afghanistan vs. Scotland, 26 February 2015
Atmosphere: 3
Like some of its Kiwi peers, the University Oval offers spectators a relaxed ambiance rather than a raucous, IPL-style cauldron of noise and colour.
History: 3
A relatively new ground, the University Oval replaced Carisbrook as Dunedin's premium cricket venue when it hosted the city's first Test for 10 years in 2008.
Aesthetics: 7
Another charming New Zealand venue set among a smorgasbord of flora, with a pristine-looking oval pitch.
Total: 13
9. Bellerive Oval
6 of 14
Location: Hobart
Capacity: 16,200
Built: 1914
Teams: Tasmania, Hobart Hurricanes, Australia
World Cup fixtures
Zimbabwe vs. Ireland, 7 March 2015
Sri Lanka vs. Scotland, 11 March 2015
Australia vs. Scotland, 14 March 2015
Atmosphere: 4
The raucousness of other Australian grounds is absent here, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on your perspective. But the lack of edge can lead to some encounters passing blissfully by.
History: 4
The Tasmanians may have missed out on Ashes contests over the years, but a steady stream of international cricket has kept the locals interested. North Melbourne also plays some AFL games here.
Aesthetics: 6
Although one of Australia's smaller international grounds, the scenic setting, three-tier pavilion and the breeze drifting off the nearby Derwent river make the Bellerive a pleasant place to watch cricket.
Total: 14
8. Seddon Park
7 of 14
Location: Hamilton
Capacity: 30,000
Built: 1950
Teams: Northern Districts, New Zealand
World Cup fixtures
South Africa vs. Zimbabwe, 15 February 2015
India vs. Ireland, 10 March 2015
Bangladesh vs. New Zealand, 13 March 2015
Atmosphere: 5
One of New Zealand's more vocal grounds, particularly when the floodlights kick in, means the day/night clash between the Black Caps and Bangladesh could be a cracking contest.
History: 5
By no means the oldest ground in the country, the Hamilton venue has hosted numerous international games, including 20 Test matches.
Aesthetics: 5
A natural amphitheatre makes Seddon Park a pleasant place to take in the action, with spectators guaranteed a good view from most parts of the ground.
Total: 15
7. Eden Park
8 of 14
Location: Auckland
Capacity: 50,000
Built: 1900
Teams: Auckland Aces, New Zealand
World Cup fixtures
Australia vs. New Zealand, 28 February 2015
South Africa vs. Bangladesh, 7 March 2015
India vs. Zimbabwe, 14 March 2015
TBD vs. TBD, semi-final 1, 24 March 2015
Atmosphere: 6
When rugby union's All Blacks are in full flow, Eden Park's atmosphere is second to none, but the cavernous surroundings can fall a bit flat if the cricket lacks edge. That shouldn't be a problem when New Zealand faces Australia.
History: 6
Built on a swamp in the early 20th century and used as a multi-sports venue ever since, the ground has hosted numerous high-profile fixtures, including the Rugby League World Cup final in 1998.
Aesthetics: 4
A $256 million development, while vastly improving capacity and facilities, has made the ground something of an identikit concrete stadium.
Total: 16
6. The Gabba
9 of 14
Location: Brisbane
Capacity: 42,000
Built: 1895
Teams: Queensland, Brisbane Heat, Australia
World Cup fixtures
Australia vs. Bangladesh, 21 February 2015
Ireland vs. United Arab Emirates, 25 February 2015
Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe, 1 March 2015
Atmosphere: 6
A classic coliseum-style arena makes for a raucous atmosphere, especially once the beer starts flowing. The huge stadia can be a noise vacuum when the attendance is low, as Ireland versus the UAE may show.
History: 8
The ground hosted the first-ever tied Test in 1955 against the West Indies and the inaugural T20 international down under. Surprisingly, Australia have a mixed ODI record here, winning 14 and losing 13.
Aesthetics: 5
One man's Eden is another man's eyesore. This concrete bowl lacks many of a cricket ground's traditional sights but is still a marvellous sporting arena.
Total: 19
5. WACA
10 of 14
Location: Perth
Capacity: 24,500
Built: 1890
Teams: Western Australia, Australia, Perth Scorchers
World Cup fixtures
India vs. UAE, 28 February 2015
Australia vs. Afghanistan, 4 March 2015
India vs. West Indies, 6 March 2015
Atmosphere: 8
The Western Australian Cricket Association ground can be buzzing when the Aussies are taking on a major foe, but apart from India versus the West Indies, its allocated World Cup games are a little low profile.
History: 6
Famous for being one of the fastest wickets in the world, the WACA has long been a pace-bowler's paradise but this can lead to feats of rapid scoring in white-ball cricket.
Aesthetics: 5
Poor facilities have found the ground under pressure of late, and it has been left off Australia's Test schedule. These World Cup fixtures are a chance for Perth's pride and joy to re-establish itself as a leading cricket venue.
Total: 19
4. Wellington Regional Stadium
11 of 14
Location: Wellington
Capacity: 11,600
Built: 1868
Teams: Wellington, New Zealand
World Cup fixtures
New Zealand vs. England, 20 February 2015
England vs. Sri Lanka, 1 March 2015
South Africa vs. UAE, 12 March 2015
TBD vs. TBD, quarter-final 4, 21 March 2015
Atmosphere: 6
Broadly speaking, the Kiwi cricket-watching public tend to be more restrained than their trans-Tasman counterparts, but this stadium's opening contest between the hosts and England should be good.
History: 7
Built on land flattened by an earthquake, the New Zealand capital hosted its first Test match in 1929. Sir Richard Hadlee is the leading wicket-taker on the ground, having taken 53 Test wickets at an average of 20.3.
Aesthetics: 7
Despite literally being in the middle of a roundabout, the Basin Reserve's location at the foot of Mount Victoria makes for picturesque cricketing scenes.
Total: 20
3. Adelaide Oval
12 of 14
Location: Adelaide
Capacity: 53,000
Built: 1873
Teams: South Australia, Adelaide Strikers, Australia
World Cup fixtures
India vs. Pakistan, 15 February 2015
England vs. Bangladesh, 9 March 2015
Pakistan vs. Ireland, 15 March 2015
TBD vs. TBD, quarter-final 3, 20 March 2015
Atmosphere: 7
When the Ashes are in town, the Oval is buzzing, but the ground can be more sedate for contests of less intensity. The lack of an Australian fixture in this World Cup would have been a huge disappointment for the locals.
History: 8
The infamous Bodyline series of 1932-33 reached its peak at this ground, while England fans won't have fond memories of their side's 2006 collapse.
Aesthetics: 7
Multimillion-dollar redevelopments have impacted on the ground's traditional feel, but the ground isn't a complete concrete bowl like others. And its ancient scoreboard remains.
Total: 22
2. SCG
13 of 14
Location: Sydney
Capacity: 44,000
Built: 1848
Teams: New South Wales, Sydney Sixers, Australia
World Cup fixtures
South Africa vs. West Indies, 27 February 2015
Australia vs. Sri Lanka, 8 March 2015
England vs. Afghanistan, 13 March 2015
TBD vs. TBD, quarter-final 1, 18 March 2015
TBD vs. TBD, semi-final 2, 26 March 2015
Atmosphere: 7
More personable than the MCG, the Sydney Cricket Ground is one of the world's great cricketing cathedrals, and with a series of quality World Cup contests scheduled, this should prove to be the case again.
History: 9
Sir Don Bradman did plenty of damage here, as did Ricky Ponting, who scored six triple-figure scores here. Outside of sport, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Green Day have played huge gigs at the iconic venue.
Aesthetics: 9
The mix of the old, such as the pavilions, with the newer stands make for a nicely balanced stadium and one of cricket's finest venues.
Total: 25
1. MCG
14 of 14
Location: Melbourne
Capacity: 96,000
Built: 1854
Teams: Victoria, Melbourne Stars, Australia
World Cup fixtures
Australia vs. England, 14 February 2015
South Africa vs. India, 22 February 2015
Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh, 26 February 2015
TBD vs. TBD, quarter-final 2, 19 March 2015
TBD vs. TBD, final, 29 March 2015
Atmosphere: 9
When Australia and England lock horns to begin their World Cup campaigns on Valentine's Day, the atmosphere could be sizzling. South Africa against India could be tasty too.
History: 10
An incredible 160 years of action has produced a sea of iconic moments. Hopefully the 2015 World Cup, which sees the stadium host five matches, will provide many more.
Aesthetics: 7
The "G" may be a concrete bowl, but the huge stands make it feel like the crowd is right on top of the players in true coliseum style.
Total: 26
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