Test Cricket is the ultimate and the most competitive form of cricket there is. This is a format that has been there ever since 1877. This format has seen many ups and downs but it is still there as strong as ever. There are a number of grounds that have hosted a number of Test Matches. However there are only a select few that have gotten the honour of hosting test matches regularly.
Let’s look at the Top 5 Cricket Grounds to have hosted the most number of test matches
1) Lord’s Cricket Ground – 147 Test Matches
The Lord’s Cricket Ground in London has the distinction of hosting the most number of Test Matches so far at 145. This stadium was established in 1814 which is 210 years ago. This stadium is named after Thomas Lord. In 2009, floodlights were installed at this Stadium. The first Test Match to be played at this iconic ground was between Australia vs England in 1884. The most recent test match played at Lord’s is also between Australia vs England in 2023. The highest team total at this ground was made by Australia when they made 729 for 6 Wickets in 1930. James Anderson is the bowler with the most Wickets at Lord’s with 119 Wickets. Graham Gooch is the batter with the most runs at Lord’s as he has scored 2015 runs.
2) Melbourne Cricket Ground – 116 Test Matches
At number 2 is one of the biggest cricket stadiums in the world and the ground in Australia which has hosted the most Test Matches at 116. The MCG was established in the year 1853 and the capacity of this stadium is 1,00,074. This ground is not only home to cricket but it also hosts football, rugby, Squash. The first Test Match played at this ground was between Australia vs England in the year 1877 . The most recent Test Match at this ground was between Australia vs Pakistan in December 2023. The highest team total at this stadium was made by Australia In 2016 when they made 624 for 8 Wickets. Don Bradman had the most runs at MCG with 1671 runs and Dennis Lillee was the bowler with the most Wickets with 82 Wickets at the MCG.
3) Kennington Oval- 112 Test Matches
At number 4 is the second cricket ground which is stated in London and that is The Oval. This ground was established In the year 1845. The first test match at The Oval was played in 1880 and it was between England vs Australia. The most recent test match at this ground was also played between England vs Australia in July 2023. The highest team total at this ground was made by England when they made an astonishing 903 runs for 7 Wickets in 1938. The most runs at this ground were made by Leonard Hutton as he made 1521 runs and Ian Botham was the bowler with the most Wickets at The Oval with 52 Wickets
4) Sydney Cricket Ground – 111 Test Matches
At number 3 is yet another iconic ground in Australia which is the SCG. This cricket ground has so far hosted 112 Test Matches. This stadium was established in 1848. The capacity of this ground is 44,002. The first Test Match at this ground was between Australia vs England in 1882. The most recent test match was between Australia vs Pakistan in January 2024. The highest team total at this ground was made by India in 2004 in which Sachin Tendulkar made 241* not out. The batter with the most runs at the SCG is Ricky Ponting who has made 1480 runs and Shane Warne has taken the most Wickets at this ground with 64 Wickets.
5) Old Trafford Cricket Ground – 85 Test Matches
At number 5 and ahead by just 2 Test Matches is the Old Trafford ground in Manchester. This ground was established in 1857. The first Test Match at this ground was played between England vs Australia in the year 1884. The most recent Test Match was also played between England vs Australia in July 2023. The highest team total at this ground was made by Australia in 1964 when they made 656 for 8 Wickets. The batter with the most runs at this ground is Joe Root who has made 874 runs and he can reach 1000 runs. The bowler with the most Wickets at Old Trafford is Alec Bedser from England who has taken 51 Wickets.
