Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand, is a prominent T20I venue that has hosted 242 matches since 2005, featuring record-breaking performances such as South Africa's highest team total of 259/4 and E Lewis's highest individual score of 125.
As the fourth-largest cricket ground in New Zealand, Seddon Park is known for its "village green" setting and picnic atmosphere for spectators, with New Zealand being the most active team at the venue with 65 matches.
Overview
Seddon Park is a cricket ground located in Hamilton, New Zealand. It stands as the fourth-largest cricket ground in the country and is renowned for its "village green" setting, which affords a picnic atmosphere for spectators. The venue has established itself as a significant location for T20 cricket, with the first match recorded on 2005-02-17. As of the most recent match on 2026-05-10, the ground has hosted a total of 242 matches according to Cricsheet data.
The venue has witnessed extreme statistical performances across its history. The highest team total recorded at Seddon Park is 259/4, achieved by South Africa on 2023-03-26. In contrast, the lowest team total is 3/1, set by Qatar on 2024-03-01. Individual brilliance has also been on display, with the highest individual batting score being 125 by E Lewis on 2017-07-09. On the bowling front, the best figures are 6/16 by OC McCoy on 2022-08-01.
New Zealand is the most active team at the venue, having played 65 matches there. The ground continues to host international fixtures, maintaining its status as a key cricketing hub in Hamilton. The combination of its scenic environment and competitive history makes it a notable venue in the T20 calendar. Records at Seddon Park reflect a mix of high-scoring chases and dominant bowling spells, showcasing the versatility of the pitch conditions over the years.
Venue Profile
The venue is renowned for its "village green" setting, which affords a picnic atmosphere for spectators. Historical records indicate the ground was named after Richard Seddon in 1906, with the first major match taking place in 1914. The stadium has hosted first-class cricket since the 1956-57 season. Sponsorship history includes the Trust Bank and Westpac, which held naming rights from 1990 to 2006. The venue has been a significant host for international tournaments, featuring matches during the 1992 and 2015 Cricket World Cups. A return of Test matches occurred in 2024, further cementing its status in New Zealand cricket.
Pitch and Conditions
The playing surface at Seddon Park is characterized by a round, well-grassed layout that contributes to its distinctive "village green" setting. This configuration affords a picnic atmosphere for spectators, distinguishing the Hamilton venue from larger, more formal cricket grounds in New Zealand. The centre block consists of nine pitches running north to south, providing a flexible environment that is also utilized for rugby and hockey matches.
Conditions on the pitch are generally favorable for batting, as evidenced by the statistical record. Individual batting performances also reflect these conditions, with E Lewis scoring 125 runs on 2017-07-09. These figures demonstrate the capacity of the surface to support high-scoring encounters in T20I cricket.
Despite the batting-friendly reputation, the ground has also witnessed extreme statistical outliers in terms of low scores. This contrast highlights the variable nature of the pitch, which can produce both expansive batting conditions and tight, defensive scenarios depending on the match dynamics.
Bowling performances at Seddon Park have also reached notable heights. This performance underscores the potential for bowlers to exploit the conditions, particularly when the pitch offers assistance or when batting collapses occur. The venue's embankment, which surrounds three-quarters of the perimeter with a tall hedgerow, adds a unique visual and tactical element to the playing area.
Statistical data from Cricsheet covers 242 matches at Seddon Park, with the first match taking place on 2005-02-17 and the most recent on 2026-05-10. This extensive history provides a robust dataset for analyzing trends in pitch behavior and team performance over time.
What are the T20I records at Seddon Park?
What are the T20I records at Seddon Park?
The venue has hosted extreme statistical performances across batting and bowling disciplines.
This scoreline demonstrates the batting-friendly conditions that can emerge on the Hamilton pitch. This disparity highlights the variability of match outcomes and the impact of specific pitch conditions on team performance.
Notable Matches and History
Seddon Park has hosted international cricket since 2005, with the first T20I match taking place on 17 February 2005. The venue continues to be a regular fixture on the international calendar, with the most recent recorded match occurring on 10 May 2026. Over this period, the ground has accumulated a substantial volume of fixtures, totaling 242 matches according to Cricsheet data.
New Zealand dominates the attendance records at this Hamilton venue, having played 65 matches there. This frequency establishes the Black Caps as the primary tenant for T20I cricket at Seddon Park. The consistent scheduling of home games reflects the stadium's importance within the New Zealand Cricket infrastructure.
Individual brilliance has also been recorded in the dataset. E Lewis scored the highest individual batting score of 125 on 9 July 2017. On the bowling front, OC McCoy achieved the best figures of 6/16 on 1 August 2022. These performances stand out among the 242 matches analyzed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at Seddon Park?
What is the lowest team total at Seddon Park?
Who has the highest individual batting score at Seddon Park?
E Lewis holds the record for the highest individual batting score at Seddon Park with 125 runs, scored on 2017-07-09.
What are the best bowling figures at Seddon Park?
Which team has played the most matches at Seddon Park?
Summary
Seddon Park has hosted 242 T20I matches since 2005, with notable records including South Africa's highest team total of 259/4, Qatar's lowest team total of 3/1, E Lewis's highest individual score of 125, and OC McCoy's best bowling figures of 6/16.