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
23:01, Fri Jul 10, 2009 (UTC +0930)
Adelaide Oval
 

Records and statistics

Australia v England - Dec 12-16, 1884Scorecard
Australia v New Zealand - Nov 28-Dec 1, 2008Scorecard
Statsguru Tests | Match results | Highest totals | Most runs | Most wickets
Australia v West Indies - Dec 20, 1975Scorecard
Australia v New Zealand - Feb 10, 2009Scorecard
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 AFL 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

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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 »
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Ground Fixtures Ground Results
2nd Test: Australia v West Indies at Adelaide
Dec 4-8 (10:00 local, 23:30 GMT)
3rd ODI: Australia v Pakistan at Adelaide
Jan 26 (13:45 local, 03:15 GMT)
3rd ODI: Australia v West Indies at Adelaide
Feb 12 (13:45 local, 03:15 GMT)
Complete fixtures »
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