Cricinfo Mobile
Hot Searches: Hashim Amla | Jacques Kallis | More...
1873
31000 (approx)
190.2m long, 126.2m wide
Yes
City End, Cathedral End
South Australia
Australian Rules Football (since 1877), Rugby League (1997-1998) as well as archery, athletics, baseball, cycling, american football, highland games, hockey, lacrosse, lawn tennis, rugby union, quoits and soccer
Les Burdett
14:45, Wed Feb 10, 2010 (UTC +1030)
Adelaide Oval
 

Records and statistics

Australia v England - Dec 12-16, 1884Scorecard
Australia v West Indies - Dec 4-8, 2009Scorecard
Statsguru Tests | Match results | Highest totals | Most runs | Most wickets
Australia v West Indies - Dec 20, 1975Scorecard
Australia v West Indies - Feb 9, 2010Scorecard
Statsguru ODIs | Match results | Highest totals | Most runs | Most wickets

Profile

The Adelaide Oval remains one of cricket's most picturesque Test venues despite recent developments to increase the capacity and upgrade the facilities. Its position, situated amid gardens and trees and with the spire of St Peter's Cathedral as a backdrop, gives it a quintessentially English feel.

The ground opened in 1873 amid bitter local disputes over boundaries and money, and in its early years the pitches were often dreadful. Things gradually improved, although Adelaide's tendency to attract controversy remained. In 1884-85 it staged its first Test, but that was dogged by arguments with the English tourists over appearance money and who would umpire. In 1932-33, the Bodyline affair reached its nadir at The Oval when Bill Woodfull and Bert Oldfield were struck, and on the third day mounted police patrolled to keep the 50, 962 spectators in order. But these days the pitches are true and disputes rarer.

The ground has hosted many sports other than cricket - the biggest attendance there was 62,543 to watch the 1965 SANFL final between Port Adelaide and Sturt - as well as concerts.

The ground is a true oval, which makes straight sixes a rarity but ones square of the wicket more common. The western public and members grandstands and the famous scoreboard are all items listed on the City of Adelaide Heritage Register, and two news stands finished in 2003 have raised the capacity to 34,000 (for football) and 32,000 for cricket.
Martin Williamson

Top

Latest Photos

A general panorama of the Oval on a morning in which England's bowlers dominated, Australia v England, 2nd Test, Adelaide, December 3, 2006
A general panorama of the Oval on a morning in which England's bowlers dominated
© Getty Images
A picturesque scene at Adelaide as Paul Collingwood departs for 206, Australia v England, 2nd Test, Adelaide, December 2, 2006
A picturesque scene at Adelaide as Paul Collingwood departs for 206
© Getty Images
England fans cheer at Adelaide, Australia v England, 2nd Test, Adelaide, December 2, 2006
England fans cheer at Adelaide
© Getty Images
A general view of the Adelaide Oval as England pile on the runs, Australia v England, 2nd Test, Adelaide, December 2, 2006
A general view of the Adelaide Oval as England pile on the runs
© Getty Images
 
View the full index of related photos »
Top

Weather

Weather.com
Wed
10/02

Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy

Max 37° C
Min 22° C
Thu
11/02

Scattered Thunderstorms
Scattered Thunderstorms

Max 29° C
Min 19° C
Fri
12/02

Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy

Max 26° C
Min 18° C
Sat
13/02

Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy

Max 27° C
Min 17° C

Hour by Hour forecast » | 10-day forecast »

Ground Fixtures Ground Results
1st ODI: Aus Women v NZ Women at Adelaide - Feb 10
Aus Women 241 NZ Women 25/3 (8.5 ov)
2nd ODI: Aus Women v NZ Women at Adelaide
Feb 11 (10:00 local, 23:30 GMT)
South Aus v NSW at Adelaide
Feb 19-22 (10:30 local, 00:00 GMT)
South Aus v NSW at Adelaide
Feb 24 (13:45 local, 03:15 GMT)
South Aus v England XI at Adelaide
Nov 11-13
Complete fixtures »
  • Twenty years of Tendulkar
Sponsored Links

Debate now on the new ESPN Soccernet Castrol Rankings Blog

Buy now at Cricshop.com - leading online cricket store

Buy now at Cricshop.com - leading online cricket store

Access your Indian Rupee earnings from anywhere in the world.

Toolbar

Get all the news direct to your browser

Cricinfo Mobile Site

Our brand new mobile site