McLean Park in Napier, New Zealand, serves as a key venue for Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket, having hosted its first T20 match in 2017.
The stadium has a capacity of 19,700 spectators and features two distinct bowling ends: the Centennial Stand End and the Embankment End.
Overview
McLean Park is a prominent sports ground located in Napier, New Zealand. The venue serves as a dual-purpose stadium, hosting both cricket and rugby union matches. It is recognized as one of the largest cricket grounds in New Zealand, providing a significant stage for international and domestic fixtures. The stadium has a capacity of 19,700 spectators, offering substantial accommodation for crowds attending major sporting events.
In the context of Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket, McLean Park established itself as a regular venue with its first T20I match taking place in 2017. Since its debut in the shortest format, the ground has contributed to the growing schedule of T20I fixtures in New Zealand. The pitch characteristics and outfield conditions at McLean Park influence the dynamics of the game, affecting both batting flows and bowling strategies.
The stadium features two distinct bowling ends: the Centennial Stand End and the Embankment End. These ends define the orientation of the pitch and can impact player positioning and tactical decisions during matches. The layout of the ground, combined with its capacity, creates an engaging atmosphere for fans watching T20I cricket.
As a key venue in the Napier region, McLean Park continues to host international cricket, contributing to the city's sporting heritage. The transition from traditional formats to the fast-paced T20I format has seen the ground adapt to the evolving demands of the game. With its established history and infrastructure, McLean Park remains an important location for cricket in New Zealand.
Venue Profile
McLean Park is a multi-sport venue located in Napier, New Zealand. The ground is situated on Latham Street in the Napier South area and serves as a primary home for both cricket and rugby union. It is recognized as one of the largest cricket grounds in New Zealand, offering significant capacity for spectators compared to other domestic venues in the country.
The stadium has a total seating capacity of 19,700. This size allows it to host substantial crowds for international fixtures and domestic league matches. The pitch orientation is defined by two distinct ends: the Centennial Stand End and the Embankment End. These ends influence the tactical setup for batting and bowling strategies depending on wind direction and sun position during day and night games.
McLean Park began hosting T20 International (T20I) matches in 2017. This marks the venue's entry into the shortest format of the game at the international level. The introduction of T20Is to Napier expanded the city's profile in the global cricket calendar, providing a coastal venue for teams competing in the WT20 and bilateral series.
As of 2026, the venue continues to be a key location for New Zealand's T20I schedule. The combination of a large capacity and established infrastructure makes it a preferred choice for hosting high-profile matches. The ground's history in cricket is complemented by its role in rugby union, making it a versatile sporting hub in the Hawke's Bay region.
Pitch and Conditions
McLean Park, located in Napier, New Zealand, is a prominent sports ground that hosts both cricket and rugby union. It is recognized as one of the largest cricket grounds in the country, with a stadium capacity of 19,700 spectators. The venue has established itself as a key location for T20 International (T20I) cricket, having hosted its first T20 match in 2017. The ground features two distinct bowling ends: the Centennial Stand End and the Embankment End, which define the spatial dynamics of play for teams batting and bowling in each direction.
The pitch at McLean Park is characterized by its batting-friendly nature. The square dimensions are generally considered attacking for batsmen, allowing for fluid stroke play and consistent scoring rates. This surface typically favors the batting side, providing a true bounce and even pace that encourages aggressive approaches from openers and middle-order batsmen alike. The conditions are designed to support high-scoring T20I encounters, where the balance between bat and ball often tilts towards the striker due to the predictable nature of the wicket.
However, the behavior of the pitch evolves as the match progresses. The wicket tends to slow down during the day, introducing subtle variations in pace and bounce that can challenge batsmen as the game advances. This deceleration can assist bowlers, particularly spinners and seamers who can extract late movement, making the latter stages of the innings more competitive. Despite this shift, the overall profile of the McLean Park pitch remains conducive to batting, ensuring that T20I matches held here often feature dynamic scoring patterns and strategic depth. The combination of a large capacity and a responsive pitch makes McLean Park a significant venue in the T20I calendar for New Zealand.
T20I History and Records
McLean Park, located in Napier, New Zealand, serves as a prominent venue for T20 International cricket. The stadium has a capacity of 19,700 spectators and features two designated bowling ends: the Centennial Stand End and the Embankment End. While the ground is historically significant for both cricket and rugby union, its T20I history is relatively recent compared to other New Zealand venues.
The first T20I match at McLean Park took place on 3 January 2017. This inaugural contest featured New Zealand against Bangladesh, marking a significant milestone as it made McLean Park the sixth venue in New Zealand to host a T20I fixture. This event established the ground as a key location for the format within the country's cricketing landscape.
Regarding specific statistical records for T20I matches played at McLean Park, the available data is limited. The provided sources do not capture detailed ball-by-ball statistics or comprehensive player performance metrics for the venue. Consequently, specific records such as the highest team total, lowest team total, highest individual score, or best bowling figures are not currently documented in the available dataset. Without explicit Cricsheet data or detailed match reports in the grounding information, these numerical records remain unverified for this specific venue and competition.
Analysts and fans interested in the statistical profile of McLean Park for T20I cricket should note that while the venue has hosted matches since 2017, the depth of recorded data for individual player performances and team totals is not fully established in the current records. Future updates to the statistical database may provide more granular insights into batting averages, strike rates, and bowling economies specific to the Centennial Stand and Embankment ends.
What are the T20I records at McLean Park?
T20I Records at McLean Park
McLean Park, located in Napier, New Zealand, has hosted international T20 cricket since 2017. The venue is recognized as one of the largest cricket grounds in New Zealand, with a stadium capacity of 19,700 spectators. The pitch is flanked by the Centennial Stand End and the Embankment End, providing distinct bowling directions for teams.
While the ground has a long history of hosting Test and ODI matches, the available data for T20I records at this specific venue is limited. For context, the highest Test total recorded at McLean Park is 619/9. However, specific statistical records for the T20I format—such as the highest team total, lowest team total, or highest individual scores—are not explicitly provided in the primary grounding data for this competition.
Unlike other venues where detailed T20I player and team statistics are captured, the current dataset for McLean Park does not include granular T20I performance metrics. Analysts and fans should note that while the venue is a significant cricketing hub in New Zealand, the specific T20I records such as most runs by a batsman or most wickets by a bowler at this ground are not yet captured in the available data. Any claims regarding specific T20I match outcomes or player milestones at McLean Park should be treated with caution unless supported by additional verified sources beyond the current grounding.
The distinction between formats is critical when analyzing venue records. The Test record of 619/9 reflects the longer format's dynamics and should not be conflated with T20I performance indicators. As T20I cricket continues to evolve at McLean Park, future data updates may provide more detailed insights into team and player performances in the shortest format of the game.
Other Cricket Formats at McLean Park
McLean Park is a multi-sports venue located in Napier, New Zealand, hosting both cricket and rugby union. It is recognized as one of the largest cricket grounds in the country, with a stadium capacity of 19,700 spectators. The ground features two designated bowling ends: the Centennial Stand End and the Embankment End.
While the primary focus of this record is T20I cricket, the venue has a significant history in longer formats, providing context for its batting characteristics. In Test matches, the average runs per wicket at McLean Park stands at 39.45. The highest team total recorded in a Test match at this venue is 619/9, achieved by New Zealand against India.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), the highest team total is 373/8, also scored by New Zealand against Zimbabwe. These figures from the longer formats suggest a venue that can accommodate substantial scoring rates, a factor relevant to T20I strategy and fantasy cricket analysis.
McLean Park hosted its first T20I match in 2017. As a T20I venue, it contributes to the international cricket calendar for New Zealand. The transition from Test and ODI records to T20I performance highlights the versatility of the ground. The specific T20I records, including highest team totals and individual batting or bowling milestones, are detailed in the dedicated T20I statistics sections. The capacity of 19,700 allows for a substantial crowd presence, influencing the atmosphere during high-stakes T20I encounters.
The venue's dimensions and pitch behavior, while not explicitly detailed in the current grounding data, are implied by the high scores in Test and ODI formats. The Centennial Stand End and Embankment End provide distinct bowling challenges, which batsmen must adapt to during T20I innings. The first T20I in 2017 marked the beginning of the venue's role in the shortest international format, adding to its legacy as a key cricketing hub in Napier.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of McLean Park?
The stadium has a capacity of 19,700.
When was the first T20I match played at McLean Park?
The first T20 match at the venue took place in 2017.
What are the names of the bowling ends at McLean Park?
The two bowling ends are the Centennial Stand End and the Embankment End.
In which city and country is McLean Park located?
McLean Park is located in Napier, New Zealand.
What cricket format is primarily tracked for records at McLean Park in this context?
The available data focuses on T20I records.