1873
50,000
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
20:15, Thu Mar 30, 2023 (UTC +1030)
Adelaide Oval
 

Records and statistics

Australia v England - Dec 12-16, 1884 Scorecard
Australia v West Indies - Dec 8-11, 2022 Scorecard
Test records | Results | High totals | High scores | Most runs | Best bowling | Most wickets | Partnerships | Statsguru
Australia v West Indies - Dec 20, 1975 Scorecard
Australia v England - Nov 17, 2022 Scorecard
ODI records | Results | High totals | High scores | Most runs | Best bowling | Most wickets | Partnerships | Statsguru
Australia v England - Jan 12, 2011 Scorecard
England v India - Nov 10, 2022 Scorecard
T20I records | Results | High totals | High scores | Most runs | Best bowling | Most wickets | Partnerships | Statsguru
Records index

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 SANFL 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

Latest Photos

A view of the Adelaide Oval after sunset, Australia vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Adelaide, 3rd Day, December 10, 2022
A view of the Adelaide Oval after sunset
© AFP/Getty Images
India bat in the dying moments of their horror innings against Australia, Australia vs India, 1st Test, Adelaide, 3rd day, December 19, 2020
India bat in the dying moments of their horror innings against Australia
© AFP/Getty Images
The old manual scoreboard at Adelaide Oval records India's 36 all out, Australia vs India, 1st Test, Adelaide, 3rd day, December 19, 2020
The old manual scoreboard at Adelaide Oval records India's 36 all out
© Getty Images
A replay of a DRS review shown on the big screen, Australia vs India, 1st Test, Adelaide, 2nd day, December 18, 2020
A replay of a DRS review shown on the big screen
© Cricket Australia/Getty Images
 
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