Seddon Park, the most picturesque cricket stadium in New Zealand, is located in Hamilton.
The venue is well known for its “green village” setting, which is a site to cherish for the spectators enjoying the sporting events here.
Named after the longest-serving New Zealand Prime Minister Richard Seddon, the stadium underwent several changes from 1990 to 2006 as far as naming rights were concerned.
However, it restored its original name when its final sponsor, Westpac Banking Corporation, decided to end its sponsorship in 2006.
Seddon Park has a decent grass covering throughout the ground and consists of nine pitches, which are usually considered good for batting.
In New Zealand’s domestic cricket circuit, Seddon Park has been home to the Northern Districts cricket team since the 1956–57 season, who have won eight Plunket Shield and seven Ford titles in addition to three Men's Super Smash trophies.
Primarily used for cricket, Seddon Park has been used for rugby and hockey matches as well. Hence, the stadium dynamics can be altered as per the need of the sporting event.
Seddon Park hosted its first cricket game way back in February 1914 when Australia played a two-day match against South Auckland XVIII.
It staged its first official international game in February 1981, an ODI match between New Zealand and India. The hosts won the match by 57 runs.
As far as the 50-over World Cup is concerned, it has hosted four games, one in 1992 and the other three in 2015.
Seddon Park ODI records
Highest total: The highest total in an ODI match at Seddon Park is 363/4 made by the Windies in the fifth ODI of the West Indies tour of New Zealand 2014.
Middle-order batter Kirk Edwards and skipper Dwayne Bravo registered their respective tons to help the visitors post a daunting total of 363/4. In reply, spinner Nikita Miller’s four-wicket haul bundled out the Kiwis for 160.
Lowest total: The lowest total recorded at Seddon Park is 92 all-out by India against New Zealand in January 2019.
Veteran New Zealand pacer Trent Boult’s fiery spell of 5/21 dismantled the Indian batting line-up before the hosts chased the ordinary target with eight wickets in hand.
Interestingly, it remains the only instance when a team was bundled out for a two-digit score in an ODI game at this venue.
Highest individual score: Former Australia batter Matthew Hayden holds the record for the highest individual score in an ODI at Seddon Park.
The southpaw scored a scintillating 166-ball 181* against the Kiwis in the third ODI of the Australia tour of New Zealand 2007. The knock, which featured 11 fours and 10 maximums, helped the Aussies post 346/5.
However, Hayden’s heroic knock went in vain as Kiwis all-rounder Craig McMillan scored a fighting century to guide the hosts to a thrilling one-wicket win in the run-fest.
Best bowling: New Zealand seamer Trent Boult holds the record for best bowling figures in an ODI match at Seddon Park.
The third ODI of the Australia tour of New Zealand 2017 saw former Kiwis batter Ross Taylor score a century to power his team to a challenging total of 281/9.
In reply, Trent Boult’s fantastic spell of 6/33 in the second innings ensured a 24-run victory for the hosts.
Highest partnership: The South African pair of JP Duminy and David Miller holds the record for the highest partnership of 256* in ODIs at this venue.
In the Pool B encounter of the ICC World Cup 2015 against Zimbabwe, the Proteas posted a huge total of 339/4 in their quota of 50 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 256-run stand between JP Duminy and David Miller.
Thereafter, the Chevrons’ fightback was cut short by a combined bowling effort as South Africa emerged victorious by 62 runs.
Featured Image: Alamy
