The ground was built by the Nelson Cricket Association after their relocation from Trafalgar Park, with an investment of $3.8 million. It forms part of a larger sports complex that includes facilities for athletics, association football, field hockey, and softball. The ground made its debut in 2009–10 when Central Districts played Canterbury in a Twenty20 match during the HRV Cup, with three more Twenty20 games held at the venue in the same competition. It hosted its first List A and first-class matches during the 2011-12 Ford Trophy and the 2011-12 Plunket Shield. Additionally, in December 2010, the ground saw its first Women’s Twenty20 International, featuring New Zealand Women and Australia Women.
Saxton Oval Stadium Pitch Report
- Full Name: Saxton Oval Nelson Stadium
- Former names: Saxton Field
- Location: Nelson, New Zealand
- Operator:
- Seating Capacity: 5,000
- Field size:
- Surface: Grass
- Floodlights: No
- End names: Town End , Richmond End
- Home team: Central Districts
- Construction Architect (Contractor):
- Boundary Length(Dimension):
- Also known as: Saxton Oval
Saxton Oval Ground Dimensions
Saxton Oval is a well-known cricket ground in Nelson, New Zealand, and is used for various sporting events, including cricket. It is home to the Nelson cricket community and hosts matches for both domestic and international teams. While I do not have the exact boundary lengths on hand, generally speaking, cricket grounds in New Zealand vary in boundary dimensions. If you’re seeking specific boundary lengths for Saxton Oval, I recommend checking a reliable cricket database, official ground details, or local cricket association resources for precise figures.
- Leg Side Boundary Length:
- Off Side Boundary Length:
- Straight Boundary Length:
- Back Side Boundary Length:
Saxton Oval Ground Records and Venue Stats: T20, T10, ODI, Test
T20 Stats
- Total Matches: 9
- Matches won batting first: 7
- Matches won bowling first: 2
- Average 1st innings Score: 147
- Average 2nd innings Score: 135
- Highest total recorded: 218
- Lowest total recorded: 104
- Highest score chased: 123
- Lowest score defended: 114
- Tie: 0
ODI Stats
- Total Matches: 15
- Matches won batting first: 3
- Matches won bowling first: 11
- Average 1st innings Score: 256
- Average 2nd innings Score: 241
- Highest total recorded: 364
- Lowest total recorded: 158
- Highest score chased: 322
- Lowest score defended: 251
- Tie: 1
Test Stats
- Total Matches: 0
- Matches won batting first: 0
- Matches won bowling first: 0
- Average 1st innings Score: 0
- Average 2nd innngs 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
Saxton Oval Ground Is Batting Pitch Or Bowling Pitch?
Saxton Oval Stadium is a Batting Pitch.
A batting-friendly pitch provides excellent conditions for batsmen, offering good bounce and carry throughout the match. The pitch tends to favor aggressive stroke play, allowing batters to score freely, especially in the middle and later overs. While pacers may get some early movement, the true nature of the surface generally supports batting, making it ideal for high-scoring games. Spinners may find some turn as the match progresses, but overall, a batting-friendly pitch offers the best chances for big scores.
Toss Prediction
Winning the toss at Saxton Oval, teams are likely to choose to bat first, taking advantage of the favorable batting conditions early on. With a pitch that supports aggressive batting, setting a strong total early gives the team an upper hand. Batting first will allow the team to post a challenging score while the conditions remain in their favor.
Who Will Win / Match Winner Prediction
Given Saxton Oval’s pitch conditions, the team opting to bat first will have a significant advantage. The surface offers good batting conditions early, allowing the team to post a competitive total. The chasing team may struggle as the pitch becomes tougher to score on, making the team setting the target more likely to win.
Dream 11 Team Prediction
Top-Order Batsmen: Include 4 solid top-order batters who can take full advantage of the pitch’s early batting-friendly conditions. Focus on players who can accelerate during the middle overs and exploit the smaller boundaries, ensuring they score quick runs.
All-Rounders: Choose 2 versatile all-rounders who can make an impact with both bat and ball. Their ability to perform in both the batting and bowling departments, especially in the middle overs, will be key to success.
Bowlers: Pick 3-4 bowlers, including both pacers and spinners, who can adapt to the pitch and make key breakthroughs. While the pitch favors batsmen, bowlers need to be efficient, particularly during the powerplay and death overs, to control the game.
Wicketkeepers: Select 2 wicketkeepers in good form, as they have more opportunities with the bat, especially if the team batting first sets a challenging target. They also play a key role in keeping during critical moments.
Captain and Vice-Captain: Opt for in-form batsmen or all-rounders as captain and vice-captain. Their ability to capitalize on the batting-friendly pitch and contribute across all phases will give your Fantasy Team the edge.
Saxton Oval Ground: Venue Stats
Saxton Oval is known for its high-scoring matches due to its batting-friendly pitch. Batting teams are generally able to post strong totals, while bowling teams need to take early wickets to break partnerships and slow down the run rate. With the pitch supporting aggressive batting, chasing a target can be challenging, especially in the latter stages.
Where To Watch Live Match
Type Of Pitch
Saxton Oval in Nelson, New Zealand, is known for providing conditions that support fast bowlers, similar to many other grounds in the country. Due to its proximity to the sea, the pitch often offers swing, while the seam and bounce provide added assistance to fast bowlers, particularly in the early stages of a match. The conditions are somewhat akin to those in South Africa, with wind further influencing the play and creating an additional challenge for batsmen. Batting can be testing, as players often need time to adjust to the pitch’s unpredictable bounce and swing. The weather in Nelson, while generally mild, can also add variability, particularly in cooler months, which makes batting even more demanding.
For a detailed breakdown of the different pitch types in cricket, check out our Types of Cricket Pitches article.
Saxton Oval Ground: Head to Head
At Saxton Oval, both teams have had mixed success, but batting first often proves to be the stronger strategy. The shorter boundaries and favorable pitch conditions play a key role in determining the outcome, with teams that can adapt to the surface generally performing better.
Weather Report & Forecast
Nelson, New Zealand, is known for its mild and temperate climate, with relatively warm summers and cool winters. Summer temperatures typically range from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), making it one of the sunniest places in New Zealand. Winters are cooler, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F), and while frosts can occur, they are generally not severe. The region receives moderate rainfall throughout the year, with the wettest months being from June to August. Nelson’s weather is ideal for outdoor activities, contributing to its reputation as a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
