The Oval’s rich Test history, the venue for the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023

 

The Oval’s rich Test history, the venue for the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023

The historic Test centre has hosted 104 matches, fourth most for a cricket venue in the world
The Australia-India Ultimate Test will be the first neutral Test to be played at the venue
One of England’s most iconic Test venues, The Oval in South London will play host to the biggest Test match of the year when Australia and India clash for the ultimate prize in Test cricket – the ICC World Test Championship Mace from 7 to 11 June. The ground, pitch and the venue are fully equipped to deliver a riveting final between two evenly matched sides.

 

Over the years, The Oval has witnessed some incredible batting and bowling feats in the longest format of the game. The feats have left the crowds at the famed venue absolutely thrilled while capturing the imagination of fans from around the world.

The Oval holds the distinction of hosting the first-ever Test match in England, a spectacle which saw the hosts beat their oldest rivals Australia by five wickets in a match that lasted three days. Throughout its history spanning almost 143 years, a total of 104 matches have been played at The Oval, yet June’s Ultimate Test will be the first-ever neutral Test (not featuring England) to take place on the historic turf.

The Oval is only the fourth venue in the world behind Lord’s, Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Sydney Cricket Ground to host more than 100 Tests.

The South London venue is also considered the birthplace of the Ashes – one of the most iconic sporting battles that have kept England and Australia as well as millions of cricket followers hooked for a 140 years.

The Ashes was introduced to the cricketing world in 1882 when Australia beat England by seven runs in a thrilling Test, and The Sporting Times printed a mocking obituary notice for English cricket, which duly led to the creation of the Ashes trophy and Test series.

The pitch has a reputation of being one of the most sporting pitches in England with its true pace and bounce encouraging both batters and fast bowlers. The bounce in the pitch also brings quality spinners into play.

The first-ever Test double-century was scored here in 1884 by Australia’s Billy Murdoch. Murdoch, who captained his side in the Test, hit 24 fours in his marathon 211 off 525 balls.

In the 1938 Ashes Test played at the Oval, English legend and ICC Hall of Famer Len Hutton set a then new record for the highest individual Test score with 364 off 847 balls (35 fours) in his side’s 903 for seven declared total.

Widely acclaimed as the greatest Test batter ever, Donald Bradman ended his career at The Oval with a duck (nought) in the 1948 Ashes Test, costing him a 100 plus career average as the Australian legend finished a glittering 52-Test career with 6996 runs at 99.94.

In the famous 1976 England-West Indies series, an inspired West Indies thumped the hosts by 231 runs at The Oval to seal a 3-0 series victory. Legendary West Indian batter Vivian Richards smashed a magnificent 291 while fast bowler Michael Holding ripped through the England batting line-up with 14 wickets in the match.

In the one-off England-Sri Lanka Test in 1998, another cricket icon produced a performance to remember, Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan taking 16 wickets in the match as the visitors stunned the hosts in a convincing 10 wicket-win.

England tasted sweet success at long last in the 2005 Ashes as they held Australia to a draw after a dramatic fifth and final day of The Oval Test, in what is widely regarded as the greatest Ashes series ever. The draw ensured the hosts reclaimed the urn for the first time in 18 years after eventually clinching the absorbing series 2-1.

Among the litany of other records witnessed at the ground, Hutton holds the record for the most runs at The Oval with his 12 Tests and 19 innings yielding him 1521 runs at 89.47. Hutton’s 364 is still the highest Test score at the venue.

South Africa’s Hashim Amla is the only other triple centurion at the venue, the right-hander scoring a brilliant 311 in the 2012 Test against England.

England’s legendary all-rounder Ian Botham tops the wicket-takers list at the venue with 52 from 11 matches at 26.51, while fast bowler Devon Malcolm holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test innings at the venue, the right-armer produced a searing spell in 1994, taking nine wickets for 54 runs to spearhead his side’s win against South Africa.