Molyneux Park is a multi-sport complex located in Alexandra, Otago, New Zealand, and serves as the main sports venue for the Alexandra region. Developed in the 1960s and 1970s, it accommodates various sports, including cricket, rugby, softball, netball, and bowls. The park also features seasonal outdoor ice skating, squash courts, and the Alexandra bike park. Cricket has been played at Molyneux Park since 1961, with the first recorded match between Central Otago and the touring Marylebone Cricket Club. The ground hosted its first first-class match during the 1978/79 Shell Cup between Otago and Central Districts, and since then, it has become a home venue for Otago. As of early 2021, Molyneux Park has hosted 31 first-class matches, 66 List A matches, and 10 Twenty20 games, with Otago Women also playing home matches here between 2006 and 2009 in the State League.
Molyneux Park Stadium Pitch Report
- Full Name: Molyneux Park StadiumÂ
- Former names:
- Location:Â Alexandra, New Zealand
- Operator:Â Guy McCone
- Seating Capacity:Â
- Field size:
- Surface: Grass
- Floodlights:Â Yes
- End names:Â the Old Man Range End and the St Bathans End.
- Home team:Â Otago
- Construction Architect (Contractor):Â Gordon Bailey
- Boundary Length (Dimension):Â
- Also known as:Â landscape of Central Otag
Molyneux Park Ground Dimensions
Molyneux Park, located in Alexandra, is a square-shaped cricket and rugby ground with boundary lengths ranging from 65 to 70 meters. The playing surface is primarily rye grass on a sand carpet, providing a solid foundation for high-scoring matches. While the pitch is known for being generally favorable to batsmen, it doesn’t carry the same reputation as McLean Park, which is specifically renowned as one of the best batting surfaces in the world. Molyneux Park is, however, still regarded for its relatively balanced conditions, where batting can be productive, but it also offers enough for bowlers to be competitive.
- Leg Side Boundary Length:
- Off Side Boundary Length:
- Straight Boundary Length:
- Back Side Boundary Length:
Molyneux Park Pitch Report Ground Records and Venue Stats: T20, T10, ODI, Test
T20 Stats
- Total Matches: 0
- Matches won batting first: 0
- Matches won bowling first: 0
- Average 1st innings Score: 0
- Average 2nd innings Score: 0
- Highest total recorded: 0
- Lowest total recorded: 0
- Highest score chased: 0
- Lowest score defended: 0
- Tie: 0
ODI Stats
- Total Matches: 0
- Matches won batting first: 0
- Matches won bowling first: 0
- Average 1st innings Score: 0
- Average 2nd innings Score: 0
- Highest total recorded: 0
- Lowest total recorded: 0
- Highest score chased: 0
- Lowest score defended: 0
- Tie: 0
Test Stats
- Total Matches: 0
- Matches won batting first: 0
- Matches won bowling first: 0
- Average 1st innings Score: 0
- Average 2nd innings Score: 0
- Average 3rd innings Score: 0
- Average 4th innings Score: 0
- Highest total recorded: 0
- Lowest total recorded: 0
- Highest score chased: 0
- Lowest score defended: 0
- Tie: 0
Molyneux Park Ground Is Batting Pitch Or Bowling Pitch?
Molyneux Park Stadium is a Batting Pitch.
Molyneux Park is considered a batting-friendly pitch, favoring the batters with good bounce and true pace. The pitch generally allows for high scores, especially for top-order batters who can capitalize on the conditions early. Pacers may find some assistance in the early stages, but as the game progresses, the pitch tends to become more favorable for batters. Spinners can also get some turn in the later overs, but overall, it’s a pitch where batting dominates.
Toss Prediction
Toss Prediction: The team winning the toss at Molyneux Park will likely choose to bat first. This decision is based on the pitch conditions, which are typically more favorable to batsmen in the initial stages of the game. Batting first gives the team a chance to set a challenging target before the pitch potentially offers more assistance to the bowlers in the later stages of the match. However, if there is a hint of moisture or overcast conditions, the team winning the toss might opt to bowl first to take advantage of any movement in the air and off the surface early on.
Who Will Win / Match Winner Prediction
Considering the pitch’s tendency to favor batsmen, the team batting first may have a slight edge. A balanced combination of strong batters and effective bowlers will be key to success here. The team that best adjusts to the changing conditions as the match progresses is likely to come out on top.
Dream 11 Team Prediction
When selecting your Fantasy Team for matches at Molyneux Park Stadium, it’s important to take into account the pitch’s favorable batting conditions. Here’s a suggested lineup for a well-balanced Fantasy Team:
- 2 Wicketkeepers: Choose a wicketkeeper who is in solid form and capable of contributing with the bat.
- 4 Batsmen: Opt for top-order batsmen who can capitalize on the flat pitch and accumulate runs, making the most of the batting-friendly surface.
- 2 All-rounders: Select all-rounders who provide balance to the team, offering both batting and bowling options, which adds flexibility to your Fantasy squad.
- 3 Bowlers: Include a mix of fast bowlers who can exploit any initial movement with the new ball, as well as spinners who can be effective during the middle overs.
Captain & Vice-Captain: Pick players in excellent form, ideally those capable of scoring big or taking crucial wickets, as these players will have the greatest impact on the game.
By following this approach, you can craft a strong Fantasy XI and increase your chances of success in Fantasy cricket at Molyneux Park Stadium, a pitch that is known to favor the batsmen.
Molyneux Park Ground: Venue Stats
Molyneux Park, located in Alexandra, Otago, New Zealand, is a multi-sport venue that has hosted cricket since 1961. It first saw first-class action in the 1978/79 Shell Cup. Over the years, it has become a home ground for Otago, hosting 31 first-class matches, 66 List A games, and 10 T20s. The park also accommodates various sports like rugby, softball, and netball, and features seasonal outdoor ice skating, squash courts, and a bike park.
Where To Watch Live Match
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Type Of Pitch
The Molyneux Park pitch is known for being pace-friendly, providing fast bowlers with early assistance, especially in the initial overs of a match. The conditions generally favor quick bowlers, as the pitch offers some bounce and movement, which can cause difficulties for the batsmen early on. In the last 7 matches, the average first-innings score has been 166, reflecting a moderate scoring environment where batting can be challenging in the early stages. As the game progresses, the pitch tends to settle, offering more opportunities for the batsmen to accumulate runs, but the early phase remains crucial for both the bowlers and the batting side.
For a detailed breakdown of the different pitch types in cricket, check out our Types of Cricket Pitches article.
Molyneux Park Ground: Head to Head
When comparing head-to-head performances at Molyneux Park, teams batting first have often dominated, thanks to the flat, batting-friendly pitch. The conditions are ideal for building high scores, and setting a competitive target is usually a key factor. Bowlers can be effective early on, especially pacers, but as the match progresses, the pitch becomes more favorable for batsmen. Therefore, teams that balance strong batting depth with effective early-stage bowling tend to come out ahead in these matchups.
Weather Report & Forecast
Molyneux Park in Alexandra, New Zealand, experiences a continental climate with distinct seasons, influenced by its location in the Central Otago region. Summers are warm, with daytime temperatures averaging between 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), making it a pleasant time for cricket matches. Winters can be quite cold, with temperatures occasionally dipping below 0°C (32°F), and light snowfall is common. The area also experiences relatively low rainfall, with average annual precipitation around 500mm to 600mm (20-24 inches), and rain is more frequent in the winter months. Winds can sometimes be strong, especially during the spring and autumn. This weather pattern can make Molyneux Park ideal for cricket during the summer, while winter conditions can affect play.
