Smallbone Park in Rotorua, New Zealand, is a cricket venue that has hosted 242 T20 matches since its first recorded game in 2005. The ground is notable for extreme statistical outliers, including the lowest team total in T20 history and the highest individual score at the venue.

The first match at Smallbone Park took place on 17 February 2005, with the most recent fixture occurring on 10 May 2026. New Zealand is the most active team at the ground, having played 65 matches there.

Smallbone Park. Photo: XPinger (Chris Sutton) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Overview

Smallbone Park is a cricket ground located in Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. The venue has a long history in the sport, with the first recorded match held on the ground taking place in 1938, featuring a contest between Bay of Plenty and Waiapu.

In the context of Twenty20 cricket, Smallbone Park has hosted a significant volume of matches. According to Cricsheet records, the venue has seen 242 T20 matches. The first T20 match at Smallbone Park was played on 2005-02-17, and the most recent match recorded was on 2026-05-10. New Zealand is the most active team at the venue, having played 65 matches there.

The ground has witnessed extreme statistical performances in both batting and bowling. The highest team total recorded at Smallbone Park is 259/4, achieved by South Africa on 2023-03-26. In contrast, the lowest team total is 3/1, scored by Qatar on 2024-03-01. For individual batting records, the highest individual score is 125, made by E Lewis on 2017-07-09. The best bowling figures at the venue are 6/16, bowled by OC McCoy on 2022-08-01.

First-Class and List A Records

Smallbone Park is a cricket ground located in Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. The venue has a long history in domestic cricket, with the first recorded match held on the ground taking place in 1938 when Bay of Plenty played Waiapu. The ground held its first first-class match during the 1968/69 Plunket Shield when Northern Districts played Otago. Between the 1968/69 and 1995/96 seasons, seventeen first-class matches were held there, the last of which saw Northern Districts play Central Districts in the 1995/96 Shell Trophy. The first List A match held there came when Northern Districts played Auckland in the 1984/85 Shell Cup. Northern Districts played six further List A matches at the ground, the last of which came in the 2002/03 State Shield against Otago.

In the T20 format, Smallbone Park has hosted 242 matches according to Cricsheet records. The first match in the dataset was played on 2005-02-17, and the most recent match date is 2026-05-10. New Zealand is the most active team at the venue, having played 65 matches. The highest team total recorded is 259/4 by South Africa on 2023-03-26. The lowest team total is 3/1 by Qatar on 2024-03-01. The highest individual batting score is 125 by E Lewis on 2017-07-09. The best bowling figures are 6/16 by OC McCoy on 2022-08-01.

International Matches

Smallbone Park is a cricket ground located in Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. The venue has a long history in the sport, with the first recorded match taking place in 1938 when Bay of Plenty played against Waiapu. While the ground has hosted various competitions over the decades, it has seen significant activity in the T20 format in recent years.

According to Cricsheet records, Smallbone Park has hosted 242 T20 matches. The first match in this dataset was played on 17 February 2005, and the most recent was held on 10 May 2026. New Zealand is the most active team at the venue, having played 65 matches there.

The venue has witnessed some extreme statistical performances. The highest team total recorded is 259/4, achieved by South Africa on 26 March 2023. In contrast, the lowest team total is 3/1, set by Qatar on 1 March 2024. For individual batting records, E Lewis holds the highest score with 125 runs, scored on 9 July 2017. The best bowling figures at the ground are 6/16, bowled by OC McCoy on 1 August 2022.

In terms of international cricket, Smallbone Park hosted a single Women's One Day International. This match took place on 25 February 1995, featuring Australia Women against India Women. The game was part of the New Zealand Women's Centenary Tournament.

What is the highest team total at Smallbone Park?

The highest team total recorded at Smallbone Park is 259/4, achieved by South Africa on 26 March 2023. This score stands as the benchmark for batting performance at the venue according to Cricsheet data. In contrast, the lowest team total at the ground is 3/1, set by Qatar on 1 March 2024. These figures highlight the significant variance in match conditions and team performances across the 242 matches played at the venue between 17 February 2005 and 10 May 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at Smallbone Park?

The highest team total at Smallbone Park is 259/4, scored by South Africa on 26 March 2023.

What is the lowest team total at Smallbone Park?

The lowest team total at Smallbone Park is 3/1, scored by Qatar on 1 March 2024.

Who holds the record for the highest individual score at Smallbone Park?

E Lewis holds the record for the highest individual score at Smallbone Park, with 125 runs scored on 9 July 2017.

Who has the best bowling figures at Smallbone Park?

OC McCoy holds the record for the best bowling figures at Smallbone Park, with 6/16 on 1 August 2022.

Which team has played the most matches at Smallbone Park?

New Zealand is the most active team at Smallbone Park, with 65 matches played at the venue.

Summary

Smallbone Park has hosted 242 T20 matches between 17 February 2005 and 10 May 2026. The venue records include a highest team total of 259/4 by South Africa, a lowest team total of 3/1 by Qatar, a highest individual score of 125 by E Lewis, and best bowling figures of 6/16 by OC McCoy.

See also