Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (Twitter)

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, located in North Sound, Saint George, Antigua and Barbuda, is a renowned cricket venue named after the legendary West Indies cricketer Sir Vivian Richards.

Built at a cost of approximately US$60 million, it was inaugurated in 2007 to host Super 8 matches during the ODI World Cup.

The facility is a vital part of Antigua's sports infrastructure, strategically situated a short drive from both the capital, St. John’s, and the international airport, enhancing its accessibility for international events.

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium History

Constructed to host the World Cup 2007, the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium has since become a cornerstone of cricket in the Caribbean.

The stadium was officially opened in 2007, with its first Test match between West Indies and Australia occurring in 2008 and concluding in a draw.

The venue represents a significant investment in local sports infrastructure, with funding primarily through a grant from the Chinese Government. It has hosted numerous significant cricket events and is slated to feature eight matches of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Capacity

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium can normally accommodate up to 10,000 spectators. However, its capacity was temporarily doubled to 20,000 during the 2007 World Cup through additional seating, something which can be done during the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The stadium includes two main stands: the Northern Stand and the five-story Southern Stand, which houses the pavilion and corporate suites. The design also features eastern and western terraces (burms), which add a casual Caribbean flavour to the viewing experience.

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium generally favours batsmen, as evidenced by the average first innings score of 138 in 13 T20Is. The surface allows batters to play aggressively early on, with the pitch tending to slow down, bringing spinners into prominence as the match progresses. Teams choosing to bat first have emerged victorious in 9 of the 13 matches which highlights the importance of batting first on this surface.

Is Sir Vivian Richards Stadium a Batting or a Bowling Pitch?

Predominantly, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium serves as a batting pitch where teams batting first tend to have a higher winning percentage.

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Weather Report

Located in Antigua, the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium often experiences tropical weather conditions. Temperatures typically range from mid to high 20s Celsius, with occasional rainfall influenced by seasonal variations.

For cricket matches, particularly during the T20 World Cup, it is essential to consider the likelihood of brief showers and high humidity, which can affect play conditions and strategy.

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium T20I Records

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Address

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is situated at 4638+73J, Sir Sydney Walling Highway (Factory Road), North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda.

This location places it conveniently between St. John's, the capital city, and the country's international airport, making it easily accessible for both local and international cricket fans.

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Major Matches

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium T20I Matches

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium: FAQs

Q.1. What is the seating capacity of the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium?

Answer: The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium has a seating capacity of 10,000, which can be expanded to 20,000 with temporary seating arrangements, particularly for large events like the World Cup.

Q.2. How do you get to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium?

Answer: The stadium is located about 10-20 minutes’ drive from St. John's, the capital of Antigua and Barbuda, and similarly close to the country's international airport. The address is 4638+73J, Sir Sydney Walling Highway, North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda.

Q.3. What was the first international match played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium?

Answer: The first international match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium was a Test match played between West Indies and Australia starting on 30 May 2008, which ended in a draw.

Q.4. Is the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium more suitable for batting or bowling?

Answer: The pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium generally favours batsmen, particularly in the early stages of a game, with a tendency for the pitch to slow down and assist spinners as the match progresses.

Q.5. What special facilities does the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium offer?

Answer: The stadium is equipped with two main stands, a practice pitch, training infrastructure, and a media centre. It also features underground passageways for team movements and pavilion and corporate suites in the five-story Southern Stand.

---

ALSO READ

Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium

---