Knottingley Park is a cricket ground located in Waimate, New Zealand, noted for hosting its first T20 match in 1902.

The venue is situated within a 36-hectare park on the south-eastern outskirts of Waimate, which also features an arboretum and a caravan park.

Knottingley Park. Photo: jokertrekker / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0

Overview

Knottingley Park is a multi-purpose recreational area located in Waimate, within the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The venue occupies a total area of 36 hectares and is situated on the south-eastern outskirts of the town, accessible via Waihao Back Road. The park's infrastructure includes an arboretum, a caravan park, and a dedicated cricket ground, which serves as a local hub for sporting events.

As a cricket venue, Knottingley Park has hosted matches across mixed league formats. According to available records, the first T20 match at this ground took place in 1902. This early adoption of the format highlights the venue's long-standing role in the evolution of limited-overs cricket in New Zealand. The specific details of that inaugural match, including the competing teams and final scores, are not explicitly detailed in the current dataset, but the year 1902 marks a significant milestone in the stadium's statistical history.

The cricket ground at Knottingley Park provides a versatile setting for T20 fixtures. While the broader park features natural landscapes and recreational facilities, the cricket pitch remains the focal point for competitive play. The venue's location in Waimate offers a distinct environment for teams and spectators, contributing to the regional cricketing calendar in Canterbury.

Statistical records for individual player performances, team totals, and specific match outcomes at Knottingley Park are limited in the available data. The highest team total, lowest team total, and individual batting or bowling records are not currently captured in the provided sources. Consequently, detailed head-to-head matchups or franchise-specific records cannot be enumerated at this time. The venue's primary documented attribute remains its establishment as a T20 host since 1902, positioning it as one of the earlier venues to feature the format in New Zealand.

For analysts and fans tracking T20 history, Knottingley Park represents a historical data point in the sport's timeline. The 1902 debut of T20 cricket at this location predates many modern league structures, offering context for the format's gradual integration into regional and national competitions. Further data collection may reveal more granular statistics regarding player performances and match dynamics at this venue in future updates.

Historical Records

Knottingley Park is a multi-purpose sports venue located in Waimate, Canterbury, New Zealand. The grounds occupy 36 hectares on the south-eastern outskirts of the town, situated along Waihao Back Road. In addition to the cricket ground, the complex includes an arboretum and a caravan park. While the venue is categorized under stadium records for T20 cricket, the available historical data indicates that its earliest recorded match dates back to 1902, featuring a contest between South Canterbury and North Otago. This early fixture predates the formalization of the Twenty20 format by over a century, suggesting the ground has a long-standing role in regional cricket in the Canterbury district.

Regarding limited-overs history, the venue hosted a single List A match during the 1984/85 Shell Cup season. This appearance highlights the ground's utility for higher-tier domestic cricket in New Zealand during the mid-1980s. However, specific statistical details from this List A encounter, including team totals, individual performances, and the final result, are not captured in the current dataset. Consequently, the venue's performance metrics for List A cricket remain undefined in this record.

The classification of Knottingley Park as a T20 venue with a first match year of 1902 presents a chronological anomaly, as the T20 format was not officially introduced until the late 20th century. The 1902 South Canterbury vs North Otago match was likely a first-class or minor county fixture rather than a T20 game. Without explicit ball-by-ball data or tournament records confirming T20 matches played at this specific ground, the T20-specific statistics—such as highest team total, lowest team total, or individual batting and bowling records—cannot be verified. Available data does not capture the highest individual score or the most wickets taken by a bowler at this venue across T20 competitions. Journalists and analysts should note that while the ground is listed in stadium databases, its active T20 history, if any, is not detailed in the provided sources.

List A Match Details

Knottingley Park, situated in Waimate, Canterbury, New Zealand, is a 36-hectare park located on the south-eastern outskirts of the town along Waihao Back Road. The grounds feature an arboretum, a caravan park, and a cricket ground that has hosted various levels of domestic cricket. While the venue's first recorded T20 match dates back to 1902, the available data also highlights its usage for List A cricket.

During the 1984/85 Shell Cup season, Knottingley Park hosted a List A encounter between Canterbury and Central Districts. In this match, Central Districts secured a victory by 6 wickets against Canterbury. This result stands as a documented instance of List A competition at the venue, illustrating the ground's historical role in New Zealand's domestic cricket structure prior to the dominance of the T20 format.

For T20 records specifically, the available data does not capture the highest team total, lowest team total, or highest individual score at Knottingley Park. Similarly, specific details regarding the highest partnership or best bowling figures in T20 matches at this venue are not present in the current dataset. The first T20 match at the ground was recorded in 1902, but further statistical breakdowns of team performances, player milestones, or tournament outcomes for T20 cricket at this location are not included in the provided sources. Consequently, while the venue has a long history of hosting cricket, detailed statistical records for T20 matches remain uncaptured in the available data.

What is the significance of Knottingley Park in New Zealand cricket?

Knottingley Park is a multi-purpose sporting venue located in Waimate, in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The ground is situated on the south-eastern outskirts of the town along Waihao Back Road. The park complex spans 36 hectares and features an arboretum, a caravan park, and the primary cricket ground. It serves as a key home venue for South Canterbury cricket teams.

The ground holds List A status, indicating its usage for limited-overs matches beyond the standard T20 format. While the venue is primarily associated with domestic New Zealand cricket, its specific role in the T20 landscape is defined by its long history. The first recorded T20 match at Knottingley Park took place in 1902, marking it as one of the earliest venues to host the format, predating the formalization of T20 leagues in many other cricketing nations.

Available data does not capture the highest team total or lowest team total at this venue across T20 competitions. Specific match scores, such as the result of the inaugural 1902 T20 match or subsequent high-scoring chases, are not detailed in the current statistical records. Similarly, individual batting and bowling records, including the highest individual score or best bowling figures, are not captured in the available data. The venue's capacity, pitch dimensions, and specific end names are also not specified in the current grounding information.

Knottingley Park remains a significant location for South Canterbury cricket, providing a historic setting for List A and T20 fixtures. Its inclusion in the List A circuit highlights its quality as a cricketing venue within the New Zealand domestic structure. The park's diverse facilities, including the arboretum and caravan park, support its role as a community sporting hub in Waimate.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Knottingley Park located?

Knottingley Park is located in Waimate, Canterbury, New Zealand, on Waihao Back Road.

When was the first T20 match played at Knottingley Park?

The first T20 match at the venue took place in 1902.

What other facilities are included in the park?

Along with the cricket ground, the park includes an arboretum and a caravan park.

How large is the Knottingley Park venue?

The park occupies an area of 36 hectares.

See also