Nelson Park in Napier, New Zealand, is a cricket ground with a first recorded T20 match dating back to 1920.

The venue is located in Napier South, approximately 600 metres south-west of the Napier Central Business District and 200 metres north-west of McLean Park.

Nelson Park, Napier. Photo: DrStew82 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview

Nelson Park is a cricket ground located in Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The venue is situated in the Napier South area, positioned approximately 600 metres south-west of the Napier Central Business District (CBD). It is also located about 200 metres north-west of Napier's main sports stadium, McLean Park. Nelson Park has hosted T20 matches, with the first recorded T20 match at the venue taking place in 1920.

Establishment and History

Nelson Park is a cricket ground located in Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The venue is situated in Napier South, positioned approximately 600 metres south-west of the Napier Central Business District (CBD). It lies about 200 metres north-west of Napier's main sports stadium, McLean Park.

The establishment of Nelson Park is linked to the reclamation of Napier South from Ahuriri Lagoon, which occurred in 1908. Following this reclamation, the town council purchased 20 acres of land in 1909. The ground was named after William Nelson.

The venue played a significant role during the 1931 earthquake. During this event, Nelson Park was utilized for accommodation, housing 500 tents.

Playing History

Nelson Park is a cricket ground located in Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The venue is situated in Napier South, approximately 600 metres south-west of the Napier Central Business District and about 200 metres north-west of McLean Park, the city's main sports stadium.

The ground's first-class playing history began in 1920 with a match between Hawke's Bay and Wellington. This was followed by a fixture against the Australians in 1921. After these early appearances, there was a significant 65-year gap before the venue hosted its next first-class match during the 1985-86 Shell Trophy.

Regular first-class usage at Nelson Park resumed in 2007. The venue has since hosted notable domestic fixtures, including the 2017-18 Plunket Shield and a no-result match during the 2011-12 Ford Trophy. The ground also served as a host for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, featuring five Youth One Day International matches. Additionally, Nelson Park was utilized for Central Districts Women's State League matches during the 2010/11 season.

Venue Features

Nelson Park is a cricket ground located in Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The venue is situated in Napier South, approximately 600 metres south-west of the Napier Central Business District (CBD). It is also located about 200 metres north-west of Napier's main sports stadium, McLean Park.

The ground features five cricket pitches with overlapping fields, allowing for simultaneous matches or training sessions. Nelson Park serves as the home venue for the Hawke's Bay Cricket Association. The ground has been a key location for the Hawke Cup competition since the 1980s, hosting numerous matches for the regional franchise.

In addition to its primary cricketing function, the Nelson Park complex includes facilities for other sports. The grounds house a pétanque club and several tennis courts, making it a multi-sport hub for the Napier community. The proximity to McLean Park allows for efficient scheduling and player movement between the two major sporting venues in the region.

What T20 records are available for Nelson Park?

Nelson Park is a cricket ground located in Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The venue is situated in Napier South, approximately 600 metres south-west of the Napier Central Business District (CBD). It is positioned about 200 metres north-west of Napier's main sports stadium, McLean Park. The first T20 match at Nelson Park was recorded in 1920.

Available data does not capture the highest team total, lowest team total, or highest individual score at this venue across T20 competitions. Specific T20I, IPL, or league records are not explicitly detailed in the primary grounding for this venue. Unlike other major stadiums with extensive statistical archives, Nelson Park's T20 records are not fully captured in the available data.

The highest partnership, most wickets in a match, and best bowling figures are not yet captured in the available data. No specific player names are listed as record holders for batting or bowling at this venue. The data does not specify the number of T20 matches played, win-loss records for teams, or tournament events hosted at Nelson Park.

Stadium capacity, dimensions, surface types, and year of construction are not explicitly stated in the provided grounding. Franchise headquarters, BCCI offices, or board associations are not mentioned in relation to Nelson Park. The available information focuses on the venue's location and the year of its first T20 match.

For cricket fans, journalists, and analysts, the scarcity of specific T20 statistics for Nelson Park highlights the need for more comprehensive data collection. While the ground hosts cricket, the lack of detailed records limits the ability to analyze head-to-head matchups, player performances, and team strategies at this venue. Future updates to the database may provide more insights into Nelson Park's T20 history.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Nelson Park located?

Nelson Park is situated in Napier South, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

When was the first T20 match played at Nelson Park?

The first T20 match at Nelson Park was played in 1920.

What is the distance between Nelson Park and McLean Park?

Nelson Park is located approximately 200 metres north-west of McLean Park.

Is Nelson Park close to the Napier CBD?

Yes, Nelson Park is situated about 600 metres south-west of the Napier Central Business District.

What T20 records are available for Nelson Park?

As of 2026, the primary recorded statistic is the year of the first T20 match (1920). Specific team totals or individual player records are not yet captured in the available data.

See also