Kensington Oval

The Kensington Oval is a renowned cricket stadium located in Bridgetown, Barbados. It is one of the most famous and historic cricket grounds in the Caribbean, with a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Here are some critical details about the Kensington Oval:

History and Significance Established: The ground was established in 1882. Historical Matches: The Kensington Oval has hosted numerous significant cricket matches, including Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). It has been a venue for many memorable moments in cricket history. Major Events: One of the highlights of the Oval's history was hosting the final of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. It has also been a regular venue for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and other major cricket tournaments.

Capacity and Facilities Seating Capacity: The stadium has a seating capacity of around 11,000, which can be expanded for significant events. Facilities: Kensington Oval boasts modern facilities, including state-of-the-art player amenities, media centres, hospitality suites, and spectator stands. The ground underwent significant renovations in the mid-2000s to upgrade its infrastructure for the 2007 World Cup.

Location Address: Kensington Oval is located on Fontabelle Road, Bridgetown, Barbados. Accessibility: The stadium is easily accessible from various parts of the island and is situated close to the capital city, making it convenient for both locals and tourists.

Atmosphere and Experience Crowd: Known for its vibrant and passionate cricket fans, the atmosphere at Kensington Oval is electric during matches. The local fans, along with international visitors, create a lively and festive environment. Cultural Significance: The ground is not just a sports venue but also a cultural landmark in Barbados. It often hosts cultural events, concerts, and other community activities, making it a central hub in Bridgetown.

Additional Uses Events: Apart from cricket, the Oval is used for various other sports and events, including football, rugby, and concerts. Its versatility makes it an important venue for a wide range of activities on the island.

The Kensington Oval continues to be a significant part of Barbados' sporting and cultural heritage, attracting cricket enthusiasts worldwide and contributing to the rich legacy of West...

The Kensington Oval has been home to Pickwick CC since 1882, and originally a pasture on a plantation 600 yards from the coast, it has grown into one of the most impressive grounds in the Caribbean. The official capacity of the old ground was 15,000, although more were crammed in on occasions. In more recent times, the locals were often outnumbered by tourists (Barbados being a tourism centre) never more so than when England visited. The pitches at Bridgetown are generally fast and bouncy, but generally favour the batsmen. The ground was closed down at the end of the 2004-05 season and demolished in order that a new stadium could be built at a cost of $135 million in time for the World Cup, with the capacity being raised from 12,500 to 28,000. It was also allocated the final. The process was fraught with problems and the completion date slipped almost by the week. The venue is steeped in history. It hosted the first England touring side (1895), the first combined West Indies side (against MCC in 1910-11) and was the scene of West Indies' first Test in 1930. The reason for this is mainly geographical - Barbados is the easternmost island in the West Indies and so the first port of call for travellers from Europe. That first Test produced records aplenty, with Andrew Sandham's 325 the first Test triple hundred (in 1920 Tim Tarilton had hit the first triple century in West Indies on the ground). The ground was demolished and rebuilt at the end of the 2004-05 season as part of a redevelopment effort ahead of the...

Went to see “hallowed ground” - where the greats have played. They advertise guided tours every half hour and one enters through the the security gate. We were asked to pay US$10 per head for the tour. This is not advertised anywhere. When I asked for a ticket for the paid amount, the attendant seemed surprised at my request. She accused me of being difficult. When I refused to accompany the “guide”, she reluctantly went somewhere inside and got an official receipt of the amount paid. No mention that this was for a “visitor tour”. I fear that if I had not asked for this, this amount would have gone unaccounted. Anyway, the guide was rather uninterested and motivated. She took us to a room and ran a video showing the history of the stadium. Took 10 minutes. After that we went to the Presidential box- pretty badly maintained. She then took us to the actual ground where the Barbados team was practicing. We saw the various stands and the pavilion. All from the ground. Took a round of the ground and we were then shepherded to the souvenir shop. Very slim pickings and really expensive. A fridge magnet for US$10- that was the cheapest item that we picked up. The whole tour was about half hour, but surely not worth what we...