The 8 most beautiful cricket grounds in the world

When you think about the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world, names such as the Oval, Lords, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground and the Eden Gardens come to mind. These are prime venues for international cricket, hosting a number of Test matches and One Day Internationals. These are of course the popular ones.

However, there are several cricketing grounds across the world which are not so well known, but which boast of unparalleled beauty. These grounds host fewer international matches, and sometimes are totally devoid of the honour. Their splendour is a treat to the eye!

Most of these grounds are located amidst nature, at the foothills of mountains, alongside seas and so on. Sadly, these grounds are not rewarded with due recognition. Here, we look at the eight most beautifully structured cricket grounds in the world:

1) Queenstown Events Centre

One of the most scenic cricket grounds ever – Queenstown cricket club.

This is indeed one of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world. Located near the Lake Wakatipu at the foothills of the Remarkables in New Zealand, this picturesque ground hosted its first international match in 2003, two years after achieving its status as a first class venue. It is encircled by farmlands and greenery on all sides. Being located close to the international airport’s runway, the ground presents an amazing view of aircraft taking off and landing.

2) Lynton and Lynmouth cricket stadium

The Lyntown and Lymouth ground is simply breathtaking (Getty Images)

Talk about a picturesque ground, and you land up in the beautiful countryside of England! Located amidst trees at the foothills nearthe centre of The Valley of Rocks, the Lynton and Lynmouth cricket stadium is the pride of the club. The thatched pavilions are restricted in space and the boundaries are too short. This is why there isn’t much hope of international matches being organized here. However, the club which was established in 1876, is by their own admission, known for the grandeur of their venue and not their cricketing achievements.

3) Asgiriya Stadium

The Asgiriya stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka (Getty Images)

Let us now travel to south-eastern Asia for the next beautiful cricket stadium. The Asgiriya Stadium in Sri Lanka is a private ground belonging to the Trinity College. This ground is known for its aesthetic beauty. The Asgiriya ground was carved out of the hill right behind the pavilion. Suited to pace bowling, the pitch here offers extra bounce, more than what the usual Sri Lankan conditions offer anyway. Away from the main city hub, this ground is amongst the most beautiful stadiums in the world.

4) Dharamshala

The Dharamshala stadium has become quite popular with Indian Premier League matches scheduled there (Getty Images)

While we are still in these parts of the world, let us move up north to the foothills of the Himalayan range in India. The Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is considered to be the most beautiful stadium in the country. It can be best described as a continuation of the Himalayas at an elevation of 4,110 feet above sea level. The ground is overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar range. The ground has winter rye grass scattered all across, which keeps the grass alive even at temperatures below 10 degrees.

5) The Arnos Vale Stadium

The Arnos Vale stadium in the Caribbean (Getty Images)

The Arnos Vale Stadium is another picturesque ground set in the Caribbean islands in St.Vincent. It is the home ground of the Windward Islands. The ground has hosted only one Test match so far back in 1997. The Arnos Vale Stadium is almost overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It is more popularly known as the ‘Playing Fields’ and comes without floodlights.

6) The Boland Bank Park

The Boland Bank park in Paarl, South Africa (Getty Images)

The Boland Bank Park in South Africa boasts of its aesthetic beauty amidst mountains and trees. The spectators are offered grassed embankments to enjoy the matches played here. The ground has a capacity of 10,000 and has hosted 8 one day internationals so far. It is yet to host a test match.

7) Wormsley

The Wormsley cricket ground, considered to be the most beautiful cricket ground in England (Getty Images)

It is difficult to find a cricket ground that can match the exquisiteness of this ground! Sir Paul Getty had immense interest in the sport and that resulted in the building of this pitch in the estate! It is proudly flanked on three sides by the beautiful countryside. Every visit to this ground is a treat to the eye.

8) The Dubai International Cricket Stadium

The Dubai International cricket stadium in the UAE (Getty Images)

This ground is one of the three cricketing grounds in Dubai. Its beauty is rendered absolute just by the location and structure of the stadium. Well built infrastructure and facilities are a highlight of the stadium. It has a capacity of 25,000.