Established in 2002, the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, previously known as the Beausejour Cricket Ground, is located near Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. The stadium, which was originally named after the Beausejour Hills, hosted domestic matches for the Windward Islands cricket team.
The stadium staged its first international Test match in 2003 against Sri Lanka and became the first venue in the Caribbean to host a day-night game.
Fast forward to July 21, 2016, the Beausejour Cricket Ground was formally renamed as the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, following West Indies' dramatic World Twenty20 title win in India.
Currently, the stadium has a seating capacity of 15,000 including 18 hospitality suites and a modern pavilion that offers each team its own gym, lounge, balcony and conference room.
The Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium was one of the venues of the 2010 ICC World Twenty20. The stadium has also hosted several domestic T20 matches in the last decade. Here, we look at the T20I and domestic T20 records made at this venue.
Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium T20 records
Highest team score: The St Lucia Stars had posted 226/6 in a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match in 2018, which is the highest team score at this venue in T20 format. The hosts rode on captain Kieron Pollard’s blitzkrieg innings of 54-ball 104 to record the mammoth total against Barbados Tridents. The Stars won the match by 38 runs.
In International cricket, the Australian cricket team holds the record for registering the highest team score in the shortest format at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium. Michael Clarke’s Australia had pulled off an epic run chase of 192 to post 197/7 in their 20 overs in the World T20 semi-final in 2010.
Lowest team total: The St Lucia Stars had bundled out for 69 in a CPL match in 2018, which is the lowest team score at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium. The hosts recorded an embarrassing score against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and eventually lost the match by seven wickets.
Meanwhile, the West Indies cricket team holds the unwanted record of posting the lowest T20I score at this venue. Windies were bowled out for just 105 against Australia in a Group F match in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20.
Highest individual score: Kieron Pollard boasts of the highest individual score at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. Pollard smashed a 54-ball 104 to help his side record a 38-run win against the Tridents. His innings included six fours and eight huge sixes.
Interestingly, former India batsman Suresh Raina holds the record for the highest individual score at this venue in the T20 internationals. Raina recorded his maiden T20I ton against South Africa in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, scoring 101 runs off just 60 balls comprising nine fours and five sixes.
Highest partnership: Pakistan's Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt forged a 142-run partnership during their match against Bangladesh in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20. It remains the highest T20I partnership at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium to date.
Highest run chase: Australia rode on Michael Hussey’s unbeaten 60 off just 24 balls to record the highest run chase against Pakistan at this venue. Chasing 192 for a win, Australia pulled off an astonishing chase as they ended with 197/7, winning the match by three wickets and one ball remaining.
Best bowling figures: West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo holds the record of the best bowling figures at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in T20Is. Bishoo has the best bowling figures of 4/17 against Pakistan at this venue.
Featured photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
