Test records: Grounds with the most test matches played

Test cricket is still by many fans, experts and cricketers and is considered to be the toughest format. Many international sides have made some of their home stadiums their fortress. They have managed to do so by playing more and more matches on a particular ground. For example, the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) hosts the famous Boxing Day test match every year. The MCG is the stadium with the second-most seating capacity. Here is a look at the grounds with most test matches played.

Grounds with most test matches played

• Lord’s, London

Lord’s Cricket Ground is the stadium which has hosted the most test matches in cricket history. The iconic stadium has been host to 145 tests and sits comfortably at the top of this list. Lord’s is also touted as the home of cricket. Many international players dream of playing a test match at Lord’s. Those who have played at Lord’s would like to get their name on the iconic honours board. If any batter scores a century or a bowler takes a five-wicket haul then his or her name is put on the Lord’s Honours Board. 

• Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is the second-largest cricket stadium in the world when it comes to seating capacity. There have been 115 test matches played at the MCG. The MCG has not just hosted cricket matches but has been the home for many premier sporting events in Australia like Soccer, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Lawn Bowls and Australian Rules Football (or Australian Football). 

• Sydney Cricket Ground

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) ranks third on this list and is the second Australian ground to feature on this list. The SCG has hosted 111 test matches. SCG is one of the most un-Australian stadiums. The New South Wales team plays their domestic cricket on SCG. It has a history of assisting spin bowlers while there have been many times when the stadium has been home to many mammoth totals. One of the most famous instances of a batter dominating the ground came when Sir Donald Bradman scored 452* for New South Wales against Queensland which is his best score in first-class cricket.

• Kennington Oval, London

Kennington Oval also known as The Oval has hosted 106 test matches. The Oval has its name written in the history books for being the reason for the Ashes to be born. In 1930, Australia scored 701 runs at this iconic venue, Bradman scored 244 runs and Bill Ponsford scored 266 runs. In 1938, England scored 903 runs for the loss of seven wickets as they defeated Australia by an innings and 579 runs. Bradman’s famous duck in his last innings in 1948 also came at The Oval.

• Old Trafford, Manchester

Old Trafford in Manchester ranks 5th on the list of hosting most test matches. Even after its historic record, it is known as the other Old Trafford due to Old Trafford Football Stadium’s iconic status. It was at this stadium where Jim Laker in 1956 recorded the best bowling figures in a test match against Australia. It is highly unlikely that anyone will even come close to Laker’s figures of 19/90.