Built: 1871
The Adelaide Oval is based in Parklands, Adelaide, between the city centre and North Adelaide.
As well as being one of Australia’s most famous Test venues, the Adelaide Oval is also host to the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) as well as occasionally being used as a venue for Rugby League and Rugby Union.
The Ground will host seven matches as part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between the December 2-10 inclusive including a semi-final.
The Adelaide Oval hosted its first first-class match in November 1877, between Tasmania and South Australia.
The hosts won by an innings and 13 runs. Seven years later, in 1884, the Adelaide Oval held its first Test match, where England beat Australia by eight wickets, Percy McDonnell scoring 124 in the first innings and then 83 in the second for Australia. Billy Barnes also reached three figures for the touring side (134) whilst Billy Bates (England) and Joey Palmer (Australia) both claimed five-wicket hauls.
The highest Test Score at the ground was scored by David Warner in 2019 against Pakistan, overtaking Don Bradman’s 299 not out against South Africa in 1931.
The ground has seen some of the most famous and controversial moments ever to take place on a cricket pitch including the climax of the bodyline series in 1932, and Sri Lanka’s near abandonment of an ODI against England in 1999 after Muttiah Muralitharan was called for throwing by umpire Ross Emerson.
The game was only continued after a phone call from the president of the Sri Lankan cricket board to captain Arjuna Ranatunga.
The Adelaide Oval was also the first venue to host a day/night test, played under lights with a pink ball between Australia and New Zealand in 2015.
In 1961, led by captain Frank Worrell, West Indies came to Adelaide for the fourth Test of a five-match series. The first three Tests had resulted in a draw and a win for each side, leaving the series in the balance at 1-1.
West Indies made 393 in their first innings which was dominated by a century from Rohan Kanhai, whilst Richie Beanud picked up a five-wicket haul for the Australians. The hosts made 366 in reply, Lance Gibbs taking five wickets - including the only test hat-trick recorded at the ground.
Kanhai scored another century in the second innings to give West Indies a 460-run lead heading into the final innings. Australia had to bat 120 overs to save the game which they managed thanks to Ken Mackay and last batsman Lindsay Kline who batted for 223 and 109 minutes respectively to draw the game and keep the series alive.
Public transport
The Adelaide Oval’s proximity to the city centre means that it is easy to walk to (around 20 minutes from the city centre) although it is also easy to reach via bus, tram or train services. Timetables for public transport to the ground can be found on the Adelaide Metro website.
Train
The nearest station to the ground is Adelaide station on North Terrace, approximately a five-minute walk from the ground across the riverbank footbridge.
Tram
Tram services between the city centre and Glenelg stop at North Terrace and King William Road, both of which are within walking distance of the ground.
Parking
Parking at the Adelaide Oval varies according to the event, although availability of the car parks can be checked using the What’s On page of the Adelaide Oval website. There are three disability pick-up/drop off zones around the ground, on War Memorial Drive, King William Road and Pennington Terrace. There are also public car parks within walking distance on Kermode Street, Tynte street and Frome street.
Taxi
Taxi drop-off zones are located on Pennington Terrace and King William Road. A taxi from the city centre will take approximately 10 minutes.
Adelaide Oval Express Services
For most events, Adelaide Oval express services take place on Buses, Trams and Trains and are free providing that you have a valid event ticket.
The Adelaide Oval offers a selection of dining options inside the ground itself. These can be found on the ground’s website.
The stadium's location means that is it easy to find nearby restaurants, either by heading into the city centre or into north Adelaide.
The Queen’s Head
The historic Queen’s Head in north Adelaide offers award winning gastro-pub style food with classic mains and wood fired pizzas priced between 22-30 $Aus (£12-18).
Melt Pizzeria
Melt Pizzeria Hyde Park offers a selection of Pizzas, Salads and Tapas Specials 6 days a week (Closed Tuesdays) for eat in dining or take-away. Pizza prices start at 12 $AUS (£7).
Browse local produce in the Adelaide Central Market
Located in the city centre, the 140-year-old market claims to be one of the oldest in the world, boasting everything from fresh fruit and veg to artisan cheeses and coffee shops.
Visit the Art Gallery of South Australia
Just a 15-minute walk from the ground, the gallery is one of the largest in Australia, displaying around 47,000 works of art as well as hosting temporary exhibitions: the T20 world cup will coincide with the free Nalini Malani exhibition which will premier the Karachi-born artist’s work Gamepieces.
Adelaide Zoo
Approximately a 10-minute walk from the oval, Adelaide Zoo is home to over 250 species of native and exotic animals including the only Giant Pandas in Australia.
The Handlebar
Take a guided bar crawl of central Adelaide on a pedal powered mobile bar. Groups of up to 16 can have a guided tour of the best pubs and bars in the city directed by the Handlebar’s driver and mobile barman.
Bank Street Social
This underground bar serves a selection of local beers and wines as well as a wall of spirits, gins and whiskies. The bar stays open until the early hours of the morning on Friday and Saturday evenings as well as hosting DJs on the weekends.
The Rosey
A classic sports bar in the centre of town offering happy hour deals and match-day specials to sports fans.
Stables Beer Garden at the Black Bull Hotel
Adelaide’s largest beer garden, Stables Beer Garden offers craft ales, wood fired pizzas, cocktails and tapas whilst you enjoy the sport on their three-metre screen. The bar is also perfectly situated for the Oval, being less than a 10-minute walk over the river from the ground.