Introducing the Grounds for the Upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia

Australia are hosting their first T20 World Cup. They have a wonderful set of grounds, and some of them are among the most aesthetically pleasing in the World. With big boundaries, and interesting characteristics, each ground has its own variety to offer.

Melbourne Cricket Ground

The MCG has seven matches in the main draw of the T20 World Cup. It is also hosting the Finals, and is known for its huge boundaries and the ability to hold a crowd of over a 100000 people. While the boundaries are among the biggest in Australia, Melbourne is also seen as one of the best batting tracks in the country. It has a very fast outfield, and a flat pitch. With an average run-rate of 8.30, Melbourne is easily the best for batting.

The straight boundaries are a touch shorter, and running between the wickets plays a big role with big gaps on offer at the boundaries. For spinners, the boundary size is encouraging as it allows them to flight the ball more, helping them extract spin better. With a few days to go, Melbourne will be in full tilt on the 23rd as it hosts marquee event with India taking on Pakistan.

Sydney Cricket Ground

The Sydney Cricket Ground is another one with really big boundaries. Batting here is pretty good as well, but the pitch is a bit drier than what may be found in Melbourne. Historically, Sydney is known to help spinners a little more while. Fast bowlers too get some help with the new-ball, indicating that Sydney is a good ground for bowlers, and should give an even contest between bat and ball.

Adelaide Oval

Adelaide’s straight boundary is probably the biggest in Australia. The numbers for spinners are not so great but are also not too bad. Ideally, it is a good ground for batters, and with short square boundaries, spinners are often forced to bowl fuller and do not get to be as flexible, unless they are really brave. Games in Adelaide are generally high-scoring, despite overall numbers not suggesting so.

Perth Stadium

The new stadium at Perth has not hosted much international cricket with Covid restricting border movement. Overall, six T20Is have taken place int he stadium. While the boundaries are pretty big, the nature of the pitch remains a question. Over time, there has been bounce, pace and turn seen on the track. The square boundaries are big, helping bowlers bowl short, and again letting spinners experiment a little more. Pace on the track does help the batters too. While the pitch is not as fast as the old WACA track, there is still quite a bit of life in the track. With a fast outfield as well, there is a lot of value for shots played.

The Gabba, Brisbane Cricket Ground

The Gabba is one of Australia’s most famous grounds traditionally and is known for having one of the fastest pitches in the World. Scoring at the Gabba in T20 Cricket is a little tougher when compared to other Australian grounds. There boundary percentage is quite low with long square boundaries. Running between the wickets though is pretty important, and that is a reason why the overall run-rate is pretty good at the Gabba. While the Gabba is one of the fastest tracks, pace in T20 Cricket is easier to play than spin while playing there. Batting overall is easy, but running between the wickets is an important factor.

Bellerive Oval, Hobart

Hobart has nine games in the T20 World Cup. It is a minefield for wrist-spinners, who absolutely struggle there. The boundaries are very small, and with a breeze constantly flowing through the ground, run scoring is very easy, when compared to other Australian grounds.

Simonds Stadium, Geelong

Geelong has not hosted much international cricket in recent years. It is the main ground though for the upcoming T20 World Cup’s first round. Like Hobart, the boundaries are small and there are some strange dimensions throughout the ground.