Numbers Game - World Cup venues in New Zealand

In the first part of this series, we took a look at the stats concerning the venues in Australia. This time, let’s have a look at the venues in New Zealand – a country that has reached the semi-finals of a World Cup as many as 6 times but never appeared in a final. Like Australia, Kiwis hosted a World Cup way back in 1992, one in which they lost in semi-finalsHere, we will see how the teams playing at a particular venue fare statistically. We will also take a quick look at "what happened at this venue" during the 1992 World Cup.A couple of points to keep in mind before you read further: 1. We are talking statistics, not form 2. All the numbers consider matches after 01 January 1990 unless specified otherwiseNote: The following grounds have been skipped, as these are relatively new grounds and have hosted very less number of matches:1. Saxton Oval, Nelson - 2 Matches2. Hagley Oval, Christchurch - 3 Matches3. University Oval, Dunedin - 4 Matches

#1 Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Westpac Stadium – The Cake Tin

Established in 1999, Westpac Stadium hosted its first ODI in January 2000. The ground hosts rugby and cricket alike and has a capacity of around 34,000. Due to its shape and silver colored external walls, it is colloquially known as "The Cake Tin".

Schedule:

League Stage:

Pool A - New Zealand v England

Pool A - England v Sri Lanka

Pool B - South Africa v United Arab Emirates

Knockout Stage:

4th Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC (A4 v B1)

What to expect:

Westpac Stadium has hosted 23 ODIs since its inception in 1999. New Zealand has been part of all the 23 matches that have been played on this ground.

England have lost both the matches they have played here till now, and that they will be playing two of their league matches against formidable opponents – New Zealand and Srilanka – here makes the ground all the more important for them.

New Zealand have won twice as much as they have lost on this ground, while Sri Lanka have won 2 of the 3 matches that they have played at this venue. Statistically, the hosts and the Lankans have a very good chance to beat England here.

While the first two matches look close, South Africa have a relatively easy encounter with the United Arab Emirates.

Previous World Cup Stats:

As mentioned already, the stadium was built only in 1999; therefore, it can’t have hosted any World Cup matches.

Owing to the excellent facilities and ease of transport, Westpac Stadium gets to host 3 league stage matches and a quarter-final match in the 2015 World Cup.

#2 Seddon Park, Hamilton

Seddon Park

Seddon Park, named after New Zealand Prime Minister Richard John Seddon, started hosting first-class matches since 1956/57. This is New Zealand’s newest Test venue and is pretty small in terms of audience capacity - 10,000.

Matches:

League:

Pool B - South Africa v Zimbabwe

Pool B - India v Ireland

Pool A - New Zealand v Bangladesh

What to expect:

Seddon Park is another one of those ‘win toss-field first’ pitches on New Zealand soil. The teams fielding first have won 63% of the matches at this venue since 1990.

It will be a straightforward match for New Zealand – who have won 55% of the matches at this venue – against a weaker Bangladesh team. Same should be the case with the South Africa-Zimbabwe encounter where the AB de Villiers-led team should come out on top with no troubles at all.

This has not been a good ground for India who have lost 5 out 7 matches that they played. If India happen to continue the bad run at Seddon Prak, Ireland might fancy their chances here.

Previous World Cup Stats:

Seddon Park has hosted a couple of games in the 1992 World Cup, one of which was curtailed by rain. The other one was won by New Zealand comprehensively by 6 wickets chasing 207 against Sri Lanka.

India won the rain-curtailed match comprehensively scoring 203 in 32 overs batting first, thanks to a 77-ball 81 by Sachin Tendulkar.

The pitch at Seddon Park has been criticised in the past for producing some low-scoring matches as a result of being underprepared. Batting first seems to be a safe option at this venue. If the pitch lives up to its reputation, we might witness an upset in one of the matches to be played here in the 2015 World Cup.

#3 McLean Park, Napier

McLean Park, Napier

A square shaped ground, McLean Park, established in Napier in 1911, hosts two major sports in New Zealand: cricket and rugby. This is world’s most easterly cricket ground that has a capacity of around 22,500.

Schedule:

League Stage:

Pool B - Pakistan v United Arab Emirates

Pool A - New Zealand v Afghanistan

Pool B - United Arab Emirates v West Indies

What to expect:

McLean Park has hosted 36 ODIs since 1990, and New Zealand has been part of every single one of them. Out of the 33 matches that have produced a result, 18 have been won by the team fielding first.

New Zealand have won 55% of the matches at this venue. Beating Afghanistan in familiar conditions shouldn’t be a difficult task for the Black Caps.

Pakistan and West Indies would not feel at home here even though they are taking on a weaker United Arab Emirates team. While Pakistan have lost 4 out of the 5 matches that they have played here, the Caribbeans have lost all 3. The UAE, on the other hand, would be hoping that one of these two teams will continue its bad record.

A run rate of 5.7 has been maintained since 2010 at this venue. Big scores are expected from strong batting units such as New Zealand. They recently scored 369 against a decent Pakistan bowling attack. Afghanistan must be wary of that.

Previous World Cup Stats:

McLean Park hosted only one match in the 1992 World Cup, between New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

The match was interrupted by rain multiple times; eventually, the home team won it comprehensively thanks to their 1992 World Cup hero, Martin Crowe’s quick-fire 74 off 43 deliveries.

The fans better gear up for some high-scoring contests here.

#4 Eden Park, Auckland

Eden Park, Auckland

An iconic cricket ground in New Zealand that hosts cricket and rugby matches alike, Eden Park was established in 1929. The ground resembles a baseball diamond and has a capacity of around 40,000.

Schedule:

League:

Pool A - New Zealand v Australia

Pool B - Pakistan v South Africa

Pool B - India v Zimbabwe

Knockout:

1st Semi-Final - TBC v TBC

What to expect:

Despite it being one of their home grounds, New Zealand have lost more matches than they have won at Eden Park: 31 out of 57. Australia, on the other hand, have won 70% of the matches that they have played here.

While it will be a close contest between Pakistan and South Africa – each having lost 50% of their matches at this venue, it should be a relatively easier match for India against a weaker Zimbabwe team. India have won 50% of the matches at Eden Park, whereas Zimbabwe have lost 2 out of the 3 matches they played at this ground.

There is a possibility of high scoring matches considering the high run-rate – 5.37 – that has been achieved since 2012 compared to 4.53 in the previous two decades.

Visiting captains would have to be immaculate with their field placements at Eden Park, as its unique shape demands that. Due to the humid and subtropical conditions at Eden Park, the pitch assists slow and spin bowlers, something India and Pakistan could exploit.

Previous World Cup Stats:

Eden Park hosted 4 matches including the semi-final in the 1992 World Cup, and New Zealand was part of all the four matches

The Kiwis won the first three league matches at Eden Park beating Australia, South Africa and West Indies comprehensively. However, they lost the match that mattered the most: World Cup semi-final against Pakistan. Pakistan chased down 262 in what eventually turned out to be a classic, courtesy a game-changing blitz of 60 runs off 37 balls by Inzamam-ul-Haq.

This is a ground that has seen New Zealand’s first-ever Test victory and also their lowest team score in the longer format of the game.