City Oval

Description

The City Oval (also known as Alexandra Park), with its fascinating Victorian Pavilion, is a national monument and multi-purpose stadium in Pietermaritzburg, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The small ground has a capacity of 12,000 spectators and is currently used for hosting cricket matches. It is picturesque and characterised by an old-world, Victorian charm. Along with the St Lawrence Ground in Kent, it is the only first-class venue that features a tree within the boundary.

The City Oval in Pietermaritzburg hosted its first two One Day International matches during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup. Chaminda Vaas ensured the first match was a memorable one, capturing 4 wickets in the very first over of the contest. He finished with impressive figures of 6 for 25 as Sri Lanka crushed Bangladesh by 10 wickets. Apart from their 10-wicket thrashing in the World Cup, Bangladesh had another crushing defeat at this ground. They suffered a 10-wicket loss to a South African Invitation Eleven in October 2000, when Charl Langeveldt knocked over 5 for 7 as the Bangladeshis were bundled out for just 51!

Aside from the cricket Pavilion, Alexandra Park also has a restaurant and ‘chinoiserie’ Band Stand, and is a regular venue for concerts and cultural city events. The park is adjacent to the Mayor’s Garden and the Umsindusi (Dusi) River forms a natural Park boundary with an avenue of mature Plane trees growing parallel to the meandering water and Jacaranda trees. Aside from international sports fixtures, Alexandra Park is a venue for monthly craft markets.