Saxton Oval is a purpose-built cricket ground at Saxton Field in Stoke, on the edge of Nelson at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. Nelson’s cricket moved here from Trafalgar Park, and the ground has since become the region’s base for first-class, domestic one-day and international matches. It sits in a spacious sports park between hills and the sea, roughly 15 minutes from the city centre.
History
The ground opened for the 2009-10 season, built by the Nelson Cricket Association with the support of local councils. Its first recorded use was a Twenty20 match in the HRV Cup between Central Districts and Canterbury, and Central Districts have used it as a home venue since 2010. The first List A and first-class matches followed in 2011-12.
International cricket came early. The ground staged a women’s international before it held a men’s one, and its first men’s ODI was played in early January 2014, when New Zealand beat West Indies under the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain. The first men’s T20 International followed on 29 December 2017, again against West Indies.
The 2015 World Cup
Saxton Oval was one of the venues for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, where it hosted three pool matches. Its ODI centuries from that period include 103 by Kane Williamson against Sri Lanka on 20 January 2015, 102 by Lendl Simmons for West Indies against Ireland on 16 February 2015 and 156 by Kyle Coetzer for Scotland against Bangladesh on 5 March 2015.
Other memorable innings
- Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls, 8 January 2019: Taylor made 137 and Nicholls an unbeaten 124 against Sri Lanka in an ODI won by New Zealand.
- Soumya Sarkar, 20 December 2023: Sarkar made 169 for Bangladesh, though New Zealand won the match.
- Kusal Perera, 2 January 2025: Perera hit 101 in a T20I, Sri Lanka winning against New Zealand.
What is coming up
Visiting
The oval has grass embankments and a white picket fence, with parking and outdoor practice wickets next to the ground.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Saxton Oval?
At Saxton Field in Stoke, on the edge of Nelson, at the top of New Zealand's South Island.
When was the first men's international at Saxton Oval?
A One-Day International between New Zealand and West Indies in early January 2014, which New Zealand won under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Did Saxton Oval host 2015 World Cup matches?
Yes, three pool matches.