7 most picturesque cricket grounds in Southern Hemisphere

#4 Queenstown Ground, Queenstown

An Air New Zealand flight takes off from Queenstown with the Remarkables in the background

With the gorgeous 'Remarkables' mountain range as the screensaver-esque backdrop, the venue is as Kiwi as you can hope for. It is also perhaps the only ground in the world where you can watch the match and watch a plane take-off, at a touching distance.

It's only a matter of time before a six hits a low-flying aircraft from the adjacent airport! The rolling, sweeping grass banks, the most consistent feature of cricket bowls in New Zealand, makes visiting Queenstown an enjoyable, leisurely, and unforgettable experience.

Memorable Match

31st December 2006 | Sri Lanka 224/7 (50) lost to New Zealand 228/9 (50) by one wicket

Man of the match: James Franklin

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#3 Basin Reserve, Wellington

The Basin Reserve is a cricketing cathedral dating back to the birth of the game

Until, just a quarter of a century ago, most of the grounds in Oceania used to be like Basin Reserve. Slowly, concretization has crept in. Built on land reclaimed after an earthquake in 1855, it is at the foothills of Mount Cook and surrounded by what is claimed to the world's largest roundabout.

One of the bigger grounds in the country, it is also one of the windiest grounds, with gusts blowing off the bails being an oft-seen occurrence. Whistling winds, the cacophony of the Kiwi traffic and a sporting pitch all make for a different, yet richly rewarding affair.

Memorable Match

30th March 1994 | India 255/5 (50) beat New Zealand 243/9 (50) by 12 runs

Man of the match: Anil Kumble