Ground information | |||||
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Location | Kingston, Jamaica | ||||
Establishment | 1895 | ||||
Capacity | 20,000[1] | ||||
Tenants | Jamaica cricket team, Jamaica Tallawahs | ||||
End names | |||||
Blue Mountains End Headley Stand End |
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International information | |||||
First Test | 3–12 April 1930: West Indies v England | ||||
Last Test | 11–14 June 2015: West Indies v Australia | ||||
First ODI | 26 April 1984: West Indies v Australia | ||||
Last ODI | 23 February 2014: West Indies v Ireland | ||||
First T20I | 19 February 2014: West Indies v Ireland | ||||
Last T20I | 21 February 2014: West Indies v Ireland | ||||
Team information | |||||
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As of 16 October 2015 Source: CricketArchive |
Sabina Park is a Cricket ground and the home of the Kingston Cricket Club, and is the only Test cricket ground in Kingston, Jamaica.
History[edit]
Sabina Park became a Test cricket ground in 1930 when it hosted the visiting MCC team for the second Test in the West Indies' first home series. This picturesque ground is perhaps one of the most significant in Test cricket history recording the first triple century in the game with England's Andy Sandham's 325 versus the West Indies in the 1930 game. The 365 not out by Sir Garfield Sobers which stood as a Test record for over 36 years is more regaled, as was Lawrence Rowe's world record on debut 214 and 100 not out against the visiting New Zealand in 1972.[2]
The George Headley stand which dominates the south end is currently the only stand in the ground named after anyone, and has a capacity of just over 6,000. The Eastern Stands has given way to a "Party Stand" replacing the popular "Mound" stand. The general capacity of Jamaicans for excess is aptly demonstrated in the construction of the huge five-level concrete stand which hosts the outside broadcast facilities, players facilities as well as a fleet of upscale private boxes. The members pavilion lies square of the wicket on the west side.
The Blue Mountains form a backdrop to the north, facing the George Headley Stand, with Kingston Harbour to the south. This view is currently blocked by the Northern Stand, built as part of the ground's redevelopment for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.[2]
In terms of size, Sabina Park is still relatively small. It can fit a 400 metre running track comfortably on its perimeter, but little else, and with its refurbishing, the capacity has increased to 20,000. With the commissioning of floodlights in August 2014, Sabina Park became the last of the international grounds in the Caribbean to have this facility. The ground is now capable of hosting day/night matches and this is especially useful for the Caribbean Premier League where the Jamaica Tallawahs play their home games.[3]
Sabina Park was the venue for the abandoned test in 1998 involving the touring England team. The test was abandoned after less than an hour's play due to the pitch being deemed unfit for play.[4][5] Prior to Independence Park opening in 1962, it would also host the Jamaica national football team.
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ http://www.worldofstadiums.com/north-america/jamaica/sabina-park/
- ^ a b Heatley, pp. 174.
- ^ http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Sabina-Park-floodlights-commissioned
- ^ "Sabina Park Test Abandoned". BBC. 29 January 1998. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "Sabina Park". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
References[edit]
- Heatley, Michael (2009). World Cricket Grounds: A Panoramic Vision. Compendium. ISBN 978-1-905573-01-1.
External links[edit]
Coordinates: 17°58′40.47″N 76°46′57.24″W / 17.9779083°N 76.7825667°W