Docklands Cricket Stadium

Docklands Stadium is situated in Harbour Esplanade, Docklands and acts as one of the home grounds for the Australian cricket team. The stadium has a crowd capacity of around 48,000.

It was previously known as Colonial stadium, Telstra Dome, Etihad Stadium and “ The Dome.“

It is used for rugby, football and cricket. However, it is the only cricket stadium that has a roof. Some of the Big Bash League games are also played here.

History

The Docklands was established in the year 2000. The first ever international match played at this stadium on 16 August 2000 featured the home team Australia and South Africa. The Aussies won by a huge margin of 94 runs with Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan scoring hundreds.

Major matches

This stadium hosted the ICC World ODI XI in 2005. The Australians were absolutely ruthless as they won the series 3-0.

They won the first ODI by 93 runs, 2nd ODI by 55 runs and the third and final ODI by a whopping 156 runs. In the third ODI, Australia chose to bat after winning the toss. They put up 293/5 on the board.

The World XI team never looked comfortable in the run-chase. Their first wicket fell on the second ball itself as Chris Gayle was knocked over by Brett Lee for a duck. Virender Sehwag top-scored in their innings with 37. They were bowled out for 137 in 27.5 overs. Lee and Shane Watson claimed 4 wickets each.

Controversies

In 2012, the Melbourne Renegades batsman Aaron Finch hit a ball into the air which hit the roof of the stadium and came back down. The umpires ruled it a dead ball.

Later on, the rule was changed so as to see that such an effort from any batsman does not go unrewarded.

It was decided that when the roof was open, if the ball touches any part of the Etihad Stadium roof, it will be a six and in case of a closed roof, if the ball hits any part of the retractable portion of the roof will be a dead ball.

Recent matches

The last international game here was played way back in 2006 when Australia faced South Africa in an ODI. Australia restricted South Africa to 201/9 and won the match by 80 runs. Mike Hussey was awarded the Man of the Match for his run-a-ball 62.

The stadium is also being used for the 2017-18 Big Bash League.