The Oval

The Oval, more precisely: The Oval Cricket Ground, is the name of the most famous cricket stadiums in the world and home of Surrey County Cricket Club ( SCCC ). It is located in London's Kennington and is therefore sometimes called Kennington Oval.

The official name is after the current sponsor Kia Oval, formerly the Brit Oval, Fosters Oval and AMP Oval. Oval is also the name of the nearest metro station.

History

The SCCC was founded in 1845. The site is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and was until 1845 a fruit and vegetable garden. On March 10, 1845 SCCC signed a lease to convert the area into a cricket stadium. As rent £ 140 has been agreed. The first grass surface was created from Tooting Common and had to be bought for the princely sum of £ 300 at the time. The first building - a pavilion - was built in 1858 but it had to yield to a larger building in 1898, as cricket has become increasingly popular.

The first international match ( Test Match ) in England was here in 1880 played against Australia. Also against Australia lost England in 1882 for the first time a home game, making the Ashes legend was born. In addition, in 1872 and 1874 to 1892 FA Cup Final matches were played at the Oval.

South Africa 1907 was the second country, which played a Test match at the Oval against England. The West Indies came to 1928, followed by New Zealand in 1931. Fifth nation as the British Association welcomed the team from India in 1936. After the Second World War, Pakistan ( 1954) and Sri Lanka were guests in the Oval (1998). Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, although known as cricketing nations, have never played in the oval.

The first one-day international match ( One Day International) in the oval was held on September 7, 1973 between England and the West Indies. It was also the venue for all staged in England Cricket World Cup tournaments in 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1999. Five of the 15 games of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004, including the final, were held in the oval. Curiously, it was in the oval to date no international matches under floodlights, although Surrey has been played a few times floodlit games.

During the Second World War, the Oval was intended as a POW camp, but was never used accordingly. In the years 2005-2006 there was a renovation, addition, parts of the auditorium were covered.