Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo: Zimbabwe Cricket Ground
Guide to Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second main international venue and a regular host of Test, ODI and T20 cricket.
Overview
Queens Sports Club is the main cricket ground in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city. It is the second of the two principal international venues in the country, alongside Harare Sports Club.
The ground is the home of Matabeleland sides in Zimbabwe’s domestic competitions and has hosted international matches regularly since the 1990s.
History and use
Queens has hosted Test matches, one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals. It has traditionally been the second venue in a home series when Zimbabwe plays visiting teams, and it has also been part of tournaments such as tri-series and qualifying events.
Like many grounds in southern Africa, it sits within a larger sports club complex, giving the venue a relaxed and traditional character.
Pitch and conditions
Pitches at Queens have usually been good for batting in the first two days of a Test, with some assistance for seam bowlers early in the morning. Spin generally becomes more relevant later in matches. Bulawayo is a dry city, so conditions are often sunny.
Weather plays a smaller part here than at many tropical venues, which is helpful for scheduling.
Why the ground matters
Together with Harare, Queens gives Zimbabwe the infrastructure to host full international series, and it keeps top-level cricket in the south-west of the country. Details of capacity and facilities change, so check Zimbabwe Cricket for up-to-date information.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Queens Sports Club?
In Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe.
Does it host Tests?
Yes, it has hosted Test matches as well as ODIs and T20 internationals.
Which domestic team plays there?
The Matabeleland Tuskers use it as their home ground.