From its conventional havens to the purpose-built out of city grounds, Take a look at cricket has been performed in 9 venues throughout the nation this century and a few, if not all, of them are held in international esteem.
Mail Sport‘s David Lloyd has performed, coached, umpired or commentated at all of them and so who higher to guage how they evaluate for the fashionable cricket fan?
This can be a subjective course of, after all, and experiences can differ, however if you would like somebody to price ambiance, the texture of a spot, its heritage and the place to enterprise after hours for a pint and a curry, who higher than our Bumble?
You’ll all have your personal views, so do not maintain again. Tell us your rankings under within the feedback:
ninth: Utilita Bowl, Southampton
Capability: 25,000 Opened: 2001
Aesthetically, the bottom developed by Rod Bransgrove when he rescued Hampshire on the flip of the century is an image – the pavilion is state-of-the-art and matches in pretty within the rolling countryside – however atmosphere-wise it is fairly sedate.
It is not simple to get to and never simple to seek out regardless of being simply off the motorway, tucked in subsequent to a kind of out-of-town buying parks, and getting out is even tougher than getting in as a result of there is only one exit street.
Aesthetically, the bottom developed by Rod Bransgrove when he rescued Hampshire on the flip of the century is an image
The Rose Bowl performed an important position in protecting cricket alive in the course of the 2020 Covid summer time
So far as pubs and bars go, it’s essential to journey due to its location. Venturing out to Winchester is effectively value it, although. It is completely attractive and residential to some implausible pubs, such because the Wickham Arms.
The Rose Bowl, because it was known as when it first went up 1 / 4 of a century in the past, has obtained a good monitor file. It hosted the primary Twenty20 sport between Hampshire and Sussex, the competitors’s finals day and England’s inaugural T20 worldwide in opposition to Australia in 2005, to not point out its position in protecting cricket alive within the Covid summer time of 2020.
Environment: 4/10
Aesthetics: 9/10
Accessibility: 5/10
Native foods and drinks: 4/10
Historical past: 6/10
TOTAL: 28/50
eighth: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Capability: 16,000 Opened: 1967
There’s nothing a lot to put in writing residence about right here.
It is a small and intimate place developed on the outdated park and there is just one entrance, that means that on match days you park your automobile and get taken up on a golf buggy.
It may appear a bit pot and kettle from somebody who has spent a lot time in Manchester, nevertheless it rains rather a lot in Cardiff.
Sophia Gardens in Cardiff is a small and intimate place developed on the outdated park
It may appear a bit pot and kettle from somebody who has spent a lot time in Manchester, nevertheless it rains rather a lot in Cardiff
The bottom’s stand-out Take a look at match was in 2009 when Jimmy Anderson and Monty Panesar blocked out for a dramatic Ashes draw
And as in your after-hours haunts? Such discuss shall be a dagger to the guts of my Welsh ancestors and my good mates, the previous radio commentator Eddie Bevan and ex-England spinner Robert Croft, however an evening out in Cardiff metropolis centre is just like the Wild West.
It is probably the most lawless place I’ve ever been to. In the event you’re venturing down St. Mary’s Approach, do not forget your go well with of armour. You’ll be able to rent one from the fortress, I imagine.
Mind’s beer is an acquired style. Had just a few in the course of the floor’s stand-out Take a look at match of 2009 when Jimmy Anderson and Monty Panesar blocked out for a dramatic Ashes draw.
One night time that week I used to be one of many many – together with Australian cricketers – who have been locked into the Walkabout bar for our personal security because it kicked off outdoors. Fortunately, I like a little bit of raucous.
Environment: 6/10
Aesthetics: 5/10
Accessibility: 2/10
Native foods and drinks: 9/10
Historical past: 7/10
TOTAL: 29/50
seventh: Riverside, Chester-le-Road
Capability: 17,000 Opened: 1995
The north east is a wonderful space for sport, however the ambiance is kind of faraway from a Newcastle United soccer match, say, and I do not suppose they ever get out of third gear within the stands on the Riverside – in all probability as a result of it is at all times freezing chilly.
However I actually do have a smooth spot for Durham due to the folks concerned. It is a rather well run membership. Lord Botham is implausible at delegating, and he seems to have delegated himself to president.
One factor that stands out is the welcome you obtain. The workers are fabulous. It is such a pleasant place. Not that the 2005 Australians thought so once they stayed at Lumley Fort, which offers a shocking backdrop at one finish of the bottom.
One factor that stands out is the welcome you obtain. The workers are fabulous. It is such a pleasant place
Lumley Fort offers a shocking backdrop at one finish of the bottom
What they may do with, nevertheless, are some extra particular moments – like Stuart Broad bowling Australia out on the ultimate night in 2013
They thought there was a ghost haunting the place. The entire episode frightened poor Shane Watson to demise. Bought me relatively excited, although. I even reached for my busting equipment and plasma gun. Sadly, I’ve stayed there a great deal of occasions and by no means seen one.
The event of the bottom is spectacular and there is extra to come back within the type of a lodge. What they may do with, nevertheless, are some extra particular moments – like Stuart Broad bowling Australia out on the ultimate night in 2013 – to create a little bit of a legacy.
Environment: 7/10
Aesthetics: 8/10
Accessibility: 7/10
Native foods and drinks: 4/10
Historical past: 5/10
TOTAL: 31/50
Tied-Fifth: Lord’s, London
Capability: 31,180 Opened: 1814
The house of cricket. Everyone desires to go there. Everyone desires to play there. What a fantastic floor.
Are you able to inform there’s a ‘however’ coming, pricey reader?
However… my downside is that it nonetheless provides off an elitist vibe. Tickets at upwards of £150 a pop are eye-wateringly costly. So are the meals retailers but they continue to be effectively patronised. You have to have a bob or two for a day trip with the household right here.
Naturally, that eases some folks out of the equation. It is all very nice and orderly: queues winding spherical the bottom at 9 o’clock within the morning.
The house of cricket. Everyone desires to go there. Everyone desires to play there. What a fantastic floor
Aesthetically, it is nearly as good because it will get. The event of Lord’s through the years to its present 31,000 capability has been fabulous, doffing its hat to historical and trendy
You have to have a bob or two for a day trip with the household right here
Aesthetically, it is nearly as good because it will get. The event of Lord’s through the years to its present 31,000 capability has been fabulous, doffing its hat to historical and trendy.
And it is particular for me as a result of it is the place I made my England debut. I had a bottle of lager at lunch on the primary day, so I will need to have thought I used to be doing notably effectively. Sadly, I used to be out shortly after the resumption.
It is not the tipple of selection, although. The popping of champagne corks and the stewards having to come back and take away them from the outfield is all a jolly jape, nevertheless it grinds my gears. Think about what would occur if folks began throwing cans of Tetley’s onto the sector in Leeds!
On the shut of play, if you wish to stretch your legs, get your self up via Regent’s Park to Primrose Hill. There’s the Engineer, Princess of Wales and Queen’s pubs and one notably good Italian restaurant known as J Pizzeria.
Environment: 5/10
Aesthetics: 10/10
Accessibility: 7/10
Native foods and drinks: 7/10
Historical past: 10/10
TOTAL: 39/50
Tied-Fifth: The Oval, London
Capability: 28,000 Opened: 1845
The noisy neighbours throughout the capital have a brilliantly developed floor. They’re the aristocracy of English cricket. It is not the simplest place to get to, south facet of the river, however the public transport community is nice and you may meander in from both Vauxhall or the Oval tube stations.
There’s at all times an important ambiance and it appears like a correct cricket membership relatively than only a worthwhile enterprise due to the way in which they give the impression of being after their gamers.
There’s at all times an important ambiance and it appears like a correct cricket membership relatively than only a worthwhile enterprise due to the way in which they give the impression of being after their gamers
It is not the simplest place to get to, south facet of the river, however the public transport community is nice and you may meander in from both Vauxhall or the Oval tube stations
The noisy neighbours throughout the capital have a brilliantly developed floor
The world’s first cricket floor to stage a world fixture pays homage to its previous. You’ve got the Hobbs Gate at one finish and the Alec Stewart Gate on the different.
The Oval has implausible current historical past, too. Nobody current will ever neglect the emotion of the 2005 Ashes and Kevin Pietersen’s 158 to carry off any probability of an Australian comeback. If I solid my thoughts additional again, I’ve an image in my thoughts of Surrey successful championships beneath Stuart Surridge.
Behind the Vauxhall finish, there’s the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, which is the place you may watch the drag artists. That place has been going since I went with my Lancashire colleagues after a Gillette Cup remaining within the Nineteen Seventies. However for those who’re after a post-match livener, pop over to the Fentiman Arms.
Environment: 8/10
Aesthetics: 9/10
Accessibility: 6/10
Native foods and drinks: 7/10
Historical past: 9/10
TOTAL: 39/50
4th: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Capability: 25,000 Opened: 1885
That is England’s stronghold, a spot I confer with because the Bull Ring.
They do not know what day it’s within the Eric Hollies stand, however they create a wonderful noise. In the event you’re not in fancy gown or you do not sing, it is pointless getting in. A quiet day with a pack lunch, it ain’t.
However it’s such a beneficiant place. I am proud to have been concerned within the #TurnBlueForBob days through the years, which have raised a whole lot of 1000’s of kilos for prostate most cancers in reminiscence of my buddy Bob Willis.
That is England’s stronghold, a spot I confer with because the Bull Ring
They do not know what day it’s within the Eric Hollies stand, however they create a wonderful noise
Edgbaston was additionally residence to certainly one of my different nice performances….not many have sung in entrance of 25,000
I like the brand new pavilion. The outdated one was good and quaint, and the one time I actually disliked getting in was when Mike Denness known as us in throughout a Take a look at match in opposition to India. I had a double hundred to my title and if he hadn’t declared I would nonetheless be in!
Edgbaston was additionally residence to certainly one of my different nice performances….not many have sung in entrance of 25,000. That is what number of got here out to listen to my model of Candy Caroline at T20 Finals Day, then some bloke known as Neil Diamond took it off me.
Birmingham has some some cracking pubs by the canal too. Try the Craven Arms. Or the Wellington, well-known for its blackboard of 20 ales. On the Hen & Chickens, you get a great pint and a curry. Younger ‘uns? Get within the Mailbox for cocktails.
Environment: 10/10
Aesthetics: 7/10
Accessibility: 7/10
Native foods and drinks: 8/10
Historical past: 8/10
TOTAL: 40/50
third: Headingley, Leeds
Capability: 18,500 Opened: 1890
This really is without doubt one of the biggest grounds on this planet.
The Carnegie pavilion is the third pavilion in my time and never a lot favored by anyone. The gamers cannot see out dressing rooms which have been in comparison with dungeons, and it is residence to the slowest carry on this planet. That is when it is working. Most of the time, you arrive to be advised you may’t are available in.
It is a floor with Yorkshire written throughout it and I would not need it another means. Headingley just isn’t pleasing on the attention, nevertheless it matches in completely among the many surrounding chimney pots. I’m not bothered about how fairly it’s. I’m there to get pleasure from myself and for those who’ve obtained a way of humour you’ll.
Headingley really is without doubt one of the biggest grounds on this planet
It is a floor with Yorkshire written throughout it and I would not need it another means
Who can neglect the quantity of Ashes heroics which have taken place right here
For theatre, I would give Headingley 11 out of 10, if I may
A struggle can get away at any time on the Western Terrace and I’ll always remember the commotion once I was England coach again in 1998. A pantomime horse obtained onto the outfield in the course of the Take a look at win over South Africa and was tackled by some rugby gamers, who within the membership’s knowledge had been employed as stewards.
The again finish of the horse suffered a dislocated shoulder and so they could not get him out of the costume. It is the primary and solely time I’ve seen a horse stretchered off.
Earlier than play, it jogs my memory of Monte Carlo on St Michael’s Lane, the place you may sit outdoors Ugly Mugs cafe and watch folks go by – specifically the gamers, who must park up down the street. All whereas bolting down a full English and a pint of tea.
On the finish of the street, you are on the ‘Otley Run’ pub crawl. It is dotted with fish and chips too, and so they’re all gradely.
And the cricket may be one thing else: Len Hutton, Herbert Sutcliffe, Fred Trueman, Geoffrey Boycott. Ashes heroics from Ian Botham in 1981 and Ben Stokes in 2019. Even the latest Ashes Take a look at was a cracker. For theatre, I would give it 11 out of 10, if I may.
Environment: 9/10
Aesthetics: 6/10
Accessibility: 7/10
Native foods and drinks: 9/10
Historical past: 10/10
TOTAL: 41/50
2nd: Emirates Previous Trafford, Manchester
Capability: 26,000 Opened: 1857
The one adverse circling this place is the climate, however I blame that on Liverpool as a result of that is the place it comes from.
The event of the bottom I performed at to 1 which incorporates two motels has been terrific. We simply don’t desire Manchester United to maneuver someplace else, as a result of their supporters fill them for each residence sport and that gives nice earnings all through the winter months.
The adverse of the modifications is that the gamers are fairly remoted on the opposite facet of the bottom to the pavilion, the place the historical past of the membership is on show. Sure, the altering rooms are nice amenities however they’re indifferent from the thrill of the gang and that to me is a disgrace.
The event of the bottom I performed at to 1 which incorporates two motels has been terrific
Jimmy Anderson has now had the pavilion at Previous Trafford named after him
Despite the fact that the sq. has been flipped 90 levels, you may scent the historical past once you arrive
With its use of a brief stand it is extra a stadium than a cricket floor, however for internationals it is residence to an ideal pitch. In the event you bend your again, you will get the ball via as a fast bowler, you may play your photographs and rating a whole lot for those who’re a batter, and in a while within the sport, it’s going to spin.
Despite the fact that the sq. has been flipped 90 levels, you may scent the historical past once you arrive: Jim Laker’s 19 wickets versus Australia, Shane Warne’s ball of the century to Mike Gatting.
The town is 5 minutes away on the good service, stopping proper outdoors the bottom. If you’d like native, there’s Chorlton. Very bohemian. Teeming with bars and each delicacies you may consider.
In any other case, head to Manchester and get off at Castlefield. The Britons Safety, the Peveril of the Peak and the Temple of Comfort – a transformed WC – will quench that thirst. From there, pop your self into Chinatown. If anyone says I have been in Lengthy Legs, they’re telling lies.
Environment: 7/10
Aesthetics: 8/10
Accessibility: 9/10
Native foods and drinks: 9/10
Historical past: 9/10
TOTAL: 42/50
1st: Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Capability: 17,500 Opened: 1841
The prettiest floor within the nation. Small and intimate. Very welcoming. You at all times really feel that the gang are proper there with you on the sector and you will get an fascinating pitch served up.
You by no means actually know what you are going to get, to be trustworthy, nevertheless it’ll at all times do one thing and it is a venue the place one thing is at all times occurring, whether or not or not it’s a spate of wickets or a flurry of runs. In actual fact, when any individual’s going, you may’t actually defend it as a result of it is fairly a small enjoying space.
Spending a day at Trent Bridge, which at all times attracts a knowledgable crowd, is at all times a little bit of a throwback. You sit and benefit from the contest. It’s kind of old skool, a bit reserved, maybe. However it’s consistent with the unspoilt setting.
Everybody will know the Radcliffe Highway Finish from radio commentaries through the years and it now faces the Stuart Broad Finish (pictured)
Spending a day at Trent Bridge, which at all times attracts a knowledgable crowd, is at all times a little bit of a throwback
The hanging baskets outdoors the pavilion give it a membership cricket really feel. But it has been residence to among the nice names within the sport’s annals: Harold Larwood, Garry Sobers, Richard Hadlee, Clive Rice. Everybody will know the Radcliffe Highway finish from radio commentaries through the years and it now faces the Stuart Broad finish.
You’ll be able to really stroll to and from Trent Bridge from town centre, alongside the canal path, passing a spot known as Hooters. Appears a highly regarded stop-off. By no means been in myself.
Strolling again into city post-play, you may’t go improper heading to any of the curry homes on Maid Marian Approach: Cumin, the Calcutta Membership, 4550 Miles from Delhi, Memsaab, Laguna. By the top of the week, I’ve accomplished the grand slam of naan. That is 5 days, 5 a lot of naan: garlic, plain, butter, Peshwari, keema.
The go-to pub? The Lincolnshire Poacher. Or the Dragon, the place on week nights you may go and race your Scalextric automobile.
Environment: 6/10
Aesthetics: 10/10
Accessibility: 9/10
Native foods and drinks: 9/10
Historical past: 9/10
TOTAL: 43/50
