The Providence Stadium is one of the largest sporting venues located in Providence, Guyana.
Located about 9 km south of the capital, Georgetown, the Providence Stadium is also popularly known as the Guyana National Stadium.
Established in 2006, the Providence Stadium has a seating capacity of 15,000, including three major stands and a grass bank that can accommodate around 4,000 spectators.
It was built to host Super Eight matches in the ICC World Cup 2007 held in March and April.
The Providence Stadium was also one of the selected venues for the ICC World T20 2010.
Earlier in 2008, the Providence Stadium staged its first Test match between West Indies and Sri Lanka. Led by Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka won the Test by 121 runs.
Since then, it has hosted two Test matches so far. Let’s have a look at the Providence Stadium Test records and stats:
Providence Stadium Test records and stats
Highest total
The Sri Lanka national cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Providence Stadium in Test cricket. During the first Test of Sri Lanka’s tour of West Indies in March 2008, the Mahela Jayawardene-led visitors posted a record total at the venue in the longest format. Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka rode on Mahela Jayawardene’s 136 and Malinda Warnapura’s 120, along with contributions from Chaminda Vaas (54 not out) and Michael Vandort (52) to record 476/8d in their first innings. In reply, West Indies were bowled out for 280 in their first innings before Sri Lanka scored 240/7d to set-up a target of over 400. Chasing 437, West Indies managed 315 in the fourth innings as Sri Lanka won the Guyana Test by 121 runs.
Lowest total
The West Indies cricket team registered the lowest total at the Providence Stadium in Test cricket. Hosts West Indies were bundled out for 152 in their second innings of the first Test against Pakistan in May 2011. Shivnarine Chanderpaul top-scored for West Indies with 36 not out. Saeed Ajmal was the wrecker-in-chief for Pakistan as recorded figures of 6/42. Earlier, the Daren Sammy-led West Indies posted 226 in their first innings before they skittled out Pakistan for 160. Chasing 219 in the fourth innings, Pakistan were bowled out for 178 as West Indies registered a 40-run victory in Guyana.
Most runs
West Indies cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan scored the most runs at this ground in Tests. Between 2008 and 2011, the former right-handed batter amassed 186 runs in two Tests at an average of 46.50, including two fifties to his name. Former Sri Lankan left-hander Malinda Warnapura features second on the list with 182 runs in two innings at an impressive average of 91. He slammed one hundred and one fifty at this venue in Test cricket.
Most wickets
Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal picked up the most wickets at the Providence Stadium in Test cricket. The right-arm off-spinner bagged 11 wickets in a solitary Test in 2011 at an average of 10.09. He claimed two five-wicket hauls at the venue in Tests. Sri Lanka’s Chaminda Vaas is second on the list with eight wickets in two innings in 2008. He took one fifer at this venue in Test cricket.
Highest individual score
Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene registered the highest individual score at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. Batting at number four, Mahela Jayawardene scored 136 against hosts West Indies in the first innings of the opening Test in March 2008. His scintillating century was laced with 13 fours to help Sri Lanka post a record total of 476/8d at the venue in the longest format. The visitors rode on Mahela Jayawardene’s hundred to win the Test by 121 runs.
Best bowling figures in an innings
Saeed Ajmal recorded the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test at this venue in May 2011. The former right-arm off-spinner registered brilliant figures of 6/42 to help Pakistan bundle out West Indies for 152 in their second innings. Saeed Ajmal dismissed Darren Bravo, Kemar Roach, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Carlton Baugh, Ravi Rampaul and Devendra Bishoo. Despite Ajmal’s magnificent spell, Pakistan lost the Test by 40 runs in Guyana.
Best bowling figures in a match
Saeed Ajmal also holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at the Providence Stadium. The off-spinner took 11 wickets during the first Test of Pakistan’s tour of West Indies in 2011. While Ajmal bagged five wickets for 69 runs in the first innings, he scalped six wickets for 42 runs in the second innings. However, the off-spinner’s brilliant performance went in vain as West Indies beat Pakistan by 40 runs.
Highest partnership
West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan recorded the highest partnership at the Providence Stadium in Test cricket. Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan forged a 134-run stand for the second wicket in their second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in 2008. Chasing 437 in the fourth innings, Dwayne Bravo scored 83 while Ramnaresh Sarwan added 72. Despite their best efforts, West Indies were bowled out for 315 as the visitors secured a 121-run victory in Guyana.
Photo credit: Alamy
