Countries with Most Number of International Cricket Stadiums

Cricket Stadiums:

The gentleman’s game is at an ever increasing trend as the game continues to gain steady popularity. From the iconic MCG or Lords to some of the lush green parks in Florida and Scotland, the number of stadiums gaining international status is on a rise.

Here’s a look at some of the countries that have the highest number of these stadiums:

1. India (44)

Although the first ever cricket match was played between Australia and England, this cricket crazed Asian nation has more stadiums than any other country in the world.

India played its home game at Chennai and its first limited overs game at Motera in Ahmedabad in November 1981.

2. England (20)

The English who pioneered cricket, boasts of 20 international grounds which include the iconic Lord’s cricket stadium.

England played their first match at home at the Old Trafford in Manchester in 1972.

3. Australia (18)

Arguably the most successful cricket team ever in the history of the game is a host to some of the bounciest tracks in the world. With 18 international cricket stadiums in the country, Australia has already hosted two successful World Cups in limited overseas cricket.

The Melbourne cricket ground also hosted the first ever ODI in history of cricket in January, 1971.

4. New Zealand (16)

The perennial underdog of world cricket, the kiwi nation is home to 16 exotic cricket stadiums. Some of them also co- hosted the 2015 World Cup.

The Kiwis played their first home One day game at the Lancaster Park in February, 1973.

5. Pakistan (16)

This Asian giant too boasts of 16 international stadiums which traditionally have flat wickets. The Gaddafi stadium in Lahore has also played a host to the 1996 WC final.

Pakistan played their first home game at the Jinnah stadium in Sialkot in October, 1976.

6. West Indies (15)

The island nations of the Caribbean which make up the West Indies have 15 world class cricketing grounds to show off, with really bouncy wickets that have honed the skills of some legendary fast bowlers.

The Windies played their first ODI at Guyana in March 1977.

7. South Africa (12)

The Rainbow Nation has 12 international cricket stadiums to show for. The wickets are well rounded in all aspects of the game producing the world’s best cricketers. The African nation successfully hosted the 2003 ICC World Cup as well.

South Africa played its first home ODI after it was reinstated to international cricket in December 1992 at the Sahara Park in Cape Town.

8. Sri Lanka (9)

This island Asian nation has 9 renowned international grounds including the prolific R.Premadasa stadium in Colombo.

The first ODI on Sri Lankan soil took place at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo in February 1982.

9. Bangladesh (8)

Bangladesh has 8 international stadiums hosted the limited overs cricket so far including co-hosting 2011 cricket World Cup.

Bangladesh played its first home game at the Aziz stadium in Chittagong in October 1988.

10. Kenya (7)

This African enjoyed a reasonable run in the late 90s running into the 21st century which culminated in making them the World Cup Semi Finalist in 2003. The country has 7 international grounds to its name.

Kenya played first at home in September 1996 at the Gymkhana Club ground in Nairobi.

11. Netherlands (5)

This European associate nation has 5 internationally recognized grounds. All of them have hosted only limited overs cricket and some of them even hosted matches in the 1999 World cup.

The Dutch first played at the VRA cricket Ground in Amstelveen.

12.  Zimbabwe (4)

This African test playing nation has regularly hosted tests and limited overs games in the 4 cricket stadiums in the country including the Harare sports club which hosted a few games in 2003 World Cup.

Zimbabwe played first at their home only in October 1992.

13. UAE (4)

The Arab nation was a premier location for some of the classic games of the India-Pakistan rivalry and lately became the home nation for Pakistan Cricket.

The Sharjah Cricket Association stadium hosted the first game in the country in April 1984.

14. Scotland (4)

The Scottish highland is home to some of the world’s most beautiful stadiums. They have a total of 4 stadiums.

The Scots played their first home game in the Grange Ground, Raeburn in May 1999.