On 27th July 2017, the Kennington Oval, London hosting the third test match between England and South Africa joined MCG, SCG, and Lords to host 100 test matches.
Test cricket is the real format patience of batsmen and bowlers are tested to the fullest.
Here we look at the 5 famous grounds to host 100 or more test matches.
- Lords, London
The iconic Lords Cricket Ground holds the record of hosting most test matches in cricket history. The first test was played between England and Australia in 1884. Since then a total of 134 matches has been played. In 134 matches, 85 have results oriented wickets while 49 draws. 130316 runs are scored by the batsmen, 4128 wickets, and 269371 balls are the stats at this ground so far. In this ground, lights have been installed in 2009. South Africa and England played the first test match of the series from 6th to 9th of July. England won that match with ease.
The most runs at this ground are Gooch with 2015 runs in 39 innings (21 matches).The highest wicket taker at Lords is James Anderson with 81 wickets in 39 innings ( 20 matches).
- Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG
The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG in Australia is second with 109 test matches. England and Australia played the first test match at this ground in 1877. In the 109 test matches played at MCG, 93 times teams have won matches while 16 draws. Since the first test match, a total of 110080 runs, 3663 wickets, 240519 balls are the records so far. Australia and Pakistan played the last test match at this ground in 2016. Australia won this match.
Don Bradman has the highest runs at this ground with 1671 runs in 17 innings (11 matches). Dennis Lillee is the highest wicket taker at MCG with 82 wickets in 26 innings (14 matches).
- Sydney Cricket Ground, SCG
Sydney Cricket Ground, another famous venue in world cricket has hosted 105 test matches so far. The first test match was played between Australia and England in 1882. Out of these 105 matches, 86 times results have been produced while 19 times draw. A total of 105393 runs, 3450 wickets, and 230900 balls is the record at this ground. Australia and Pakistan played the last test match this year from 3rd January- 7th January. Australia won this match easily.
Ricky Pointing has the most runs at this ground with 1480 runs in 27 innings (16 matches) with 6 centuries and 6 half centuries. Australia’s Shane Warne grabbed the most wickets with 64 wickets in 26 innings ( 14 matches)
- Kennington Oval, London
Kennington Oval, London is fourth on the list of hosting 100 test matches with ongoing test match between South Africa and England. At this ground, the first test match was played between England and Australia on 6th September 1880. In 100 test matches, 62 have produced results and 37 draw matches. A total of 96472 runs, 3000 wickets, and 201902 balls are the stats.
Len Hutton has scored the most runs at this ground with 1521 runs in 19 innings (12 matches) with 4 centuries and 5 half centuries. England all-rounder Ian Botham has taken most wickets with 52 wickets in 20 innings (11 matches).
- Old Trafford, Manchester
Old Trafford, Manchester situated in England is 5th with hosting 77 test matches. The first test match at this ground was played between England and Australia in 1884. In these 77 test matches, 42 times teams have won matches while 35 draws. A total of 68765 runs, 2211 wickets, and 149442 balls have been the results. The previous test match was played between England and Pakistan in 2016. England won the match with ease.
Most runs at this ground by batsmen is DCS Compton with 818 runs in 13 innings ( 8 matches) with 3 centuries and 4 half centuries. AV Bedser has taken most wickets with 51 wickets in 14 innings ( 7 matches).