5 Most Popular Cricket Stadiums in West Indies

Cricket Stadiums in West Indies

Having achieved its test status in 1928, the West Indies became a force to reckon with in the next few decades and ruled the cricket world for quite a period of time. 

Known for its uncanny celebration, West Indies is one of the most loved teams in the cricketing world. Their game, however, took a downward turn in the early 2000s, however, with the coming of the T20s, West Indies have once started showing signs of emerging themselves from the ashes.  

In this article, we present you 5 most famous cricket stadiums in the West Indies: 

 

#1. Sabina Park Cricket Stadium 

Counted among the most popular cricket grounds in West Indies, Sabina Park can hold as many as 20,000 spectators for a cricket match. It is the home ground of Kingston Cricket Club and is in fact the only test cricket ground in Kingston, Jamaica. 

Sabina Park was traditionally a breeding ground for fast-bowlers, however, as time passed the pitch became much slower. 

Sabina Park cricket ground in West Indies became a test playing cricket ground in 1930 when England and West Indies participated in the first ever test match here. The first ODI, however, was played in 1984 between Australia and West Indies. 

The ground remains famous for Garry Sober’s heroic knock of 365 runs against Pakistan in a test match. The score remained the highest ever for a long time.

 

#2. Queen’s Park Oval 

The largest cricket stadium in West Indies, Queen’s Park Oval garners the most profits among all others in the nation. 

Queen’s Park is the home stadium of the Queen’s Park Cricket Club. 

It can accommodate as many as 25,000 spectators. 

The stadium is known to be one of the picturesque venues for watching the game, having some of the most amazing backdrops. 

The first-ever test hosted at this ground was back in 1930. West Indies took on England in that test match, while the first ODI game was played between West Indies and India. West Indies won that game comfortable by 52 runs.

 

#3. Sir Viv Richards Stadium

Named after West Indies legend Viv Richards, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in West Indies was built in a bid to organise super eight games in the 2007 World Cup. The stadium usually accommodates 10,000 people, however, temporary seating allowed it to host as many as 20,000 spectators in the 2007 edition of the World Cup. 

Jason Holder is the only bowler to have taken a five wicket-haul in ODIs at this ground. He produced one of the best bowling figures of 5 for 27 against India in 2017.

The first test match played here was between West Indies and Australia in 2008, while the same two teams played the first ODI here at this ground in 2007. 

 

#4. Kensington Oval Cricket Stadium 

The Kensington Oval is a stadium located to the west of the capital city Bridgetown on the island of Barbados. It is the pre-eminent sporting facility on the island and is primarily used for cricket. Locally referred to as “The Mecca” of cricket, it has hosted many important and exciting cricket games between local, regional, and international teams during its more than 120-year history.

West Indies and England played the first test match at this ground in 1930, while the first ODI is played between West Indies and New Zealand in 1985. 

 

#5. Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium 

Formerly known as Beausejour Stadium, Darry Sammy Cricket Stadium is one of the newly built stadiums in the Caribbean. The stadium’s name was changed after Darren Sammy led West Indies to win the second T20 World Cup title in 2016. 

The stadium has a seating capacity of 15,000 spectators, which includes a gym, lounge, balcony, and conference room. 

Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium in West Indies staged its first test in 2003 between Sri Lanka and West Indies, while the first ODI game took place in 2002 between West Indies and New Zealand. 

Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium hosted its first floodlight ODI when they hosted Zimbabwe in 2006.