The Kennington Oval is one of the world's oldest cricket grounds located in London, England.
Established in 1845, the Kennington Oval has been the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club and England cricket team.
Located in the borough of Lambeth, in south London, the Oval was the first cricket ground in England to host international Test cricket in September 1880. Arch-rivals England and Australia featured in that historic Test which the hosts won by five wickets.
Later in 1973, it staged its first One-Day International (ODI) played between England and West Indies. Led by Rohan Kanhai, West Indies won the game by eight wickets.
The Kennington Oval later hosted its first T20 international played between England and West Indies in June 2007. The Chris Gayle-led West Indies won the first T20I at this iconic venue by 15 runs. Since then, it has staged more than 15 T20 internationals so far.
This stadium hosted the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy as well and has played host to other sports like football, hockey, and rugby, including an FA Cup final.
With that in mind, let’s have a look at Kennington Oval T20 records and stats.
Kennington Oval T20 records and stats
Highest total
The South Africa cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Kennington Oval in T20 international cricket. The Graeme Smith-led South Africa scored 211/5 in their 20 overs against Scotland during an ICC T20 World Cup game in June 2009. Put in to bat, South Africa rode on AB de Villiers’ unbeaten 79, along with contributions from Jacques Kallis (48), captain Graeme Smith (38) and Albie Morkel (24) to post a record T20 total at the venue. In reply, Scotland were bundled out for 81 in 15.4 overs as South Africa won the game by a massive 130 runs.
Lowest total
The Scotland cricket team registered the lowest total at the Kennington Oval in the T20 format. During an ICC T20 World Cup 2009 encounter, Scotland were skittled out for 81 in 15.4 overs while chasing South Africa’s 211/5. For Scotland, Kyle Coetzer (42) and Majid Haq (15) were the only two batters to reach double digits. Dale Steyn, Johan Botha, Roelof van der Merwe and Albie Morkel picked up two wickets each to guide South Africa to a 130-run victory in London.
Most runs
Legendary West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has scored the most runs at the venue in T20 international cricket. The flamboyant left-handed batter accumulated 237 runs in six T20I matches at an average of 47.40 and a strike rate of 147.20. Gayle slammed three T20I fifties at this ground. His highest score of 88 at this venue came against Australia during an ICC T20 World Cup game in 2009. Gayle’s knock helped West Indies register a seven-wicket win in the match.
Most wickets
Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul scalped the most wickets at this cricket ground in the T20I format. The right-arm pacer bagged nine wickets in just three T20I matches at an average of 6.88 and an economy of 5.63. The likes of Saeed Ajmal, Stuart Broad, Jerome Taylor and Dwayne Bravo share the second spot with six scalps each.
Highest individual score
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan registered the highest individual score at the Kennington Oval in T20 international cricket. Opening the batting, Tillakaratne Dilshan slammed an unbeaten 96 off just 57 balls against West Indies during an ICC T20 World Cup match in 2009. His magnificent knock was laced with 12 fours and two sixes. Dilshan’s knock helped Sri Lanka post 158/5 in their 20 overs. Later, Sri Lanka bowled out West Indies for 101 in 17.4 overs to secure a 57-run victory in London.
Best bowling figures
Umar Gul has the best bowling figures at this venue in the T20 format. During an ICC T20 World Cup 2009 game, the right-arm pacer registered match-winning figures of 3-0-6-5 against New Zealand. Umar Gul dismissed Scott Styris, wicketkeeper-batter Peter McGlashan, Nathan McCullum, James Franklin and Kyle Mills to help Pakistan bowl out New Zealand out for 99 in 18.3 overs. Pakistan later chased down the target in just 13.1 overs to win the match by six wickets.
Highest partnership
West Indies’ Chris Gayle and Andre Fletcher hold the record for the highest partnership at the Kennington Oval in T20 international cricket. Captain Chris Gayle and Andre Fletcher forged an impressive 133-run partnership for the opening wicket against Australia during an ICC T20 World Cup game in 2009. While Gayle smashed 88 off 50 balls, Andre Fletcher scored a 32-ball 53 to help West Indies chase down Australia’s 169/7 in 15.5 overs to register a comprehensive seven-wicket victory in London.
Photo credit: Alamy
