The Kensington Oval is one of the world’s oldest cricket grounds located to the west of Bridgetown on the island of Barbados.
Established in 1871, the Kensington Oval staged its first international match, a Test match between West Indies and England in January 1930. The match ended in a draw.
With a seating capacity of 28,000, the iconic cricket venue has hosted more than 50 Tests and ODIs so far.
The Kensington Oval hosted its first T20 international between West Indies and Australia on June 20, 2008. The hosts won the first-ever T20I at the venue by seven wickets. Since then, it has staged more than 20 T20Is so far.
The Barbados cricket stadium has also staged several local, regional and women’s international cricket matches. It was one of the venues for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and the ICC World T20 2010.
Let’s have a look at Kensington Oval T20I records and stats:
Kensington Oval T20I records and stats
Highest team total
The West Indies cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at the Kensington Oval in T20I cricket. During England’s tour of the West Indies in 2022, the Kieron Pollard-led West Indies posted a mammoth total of 224/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Rovman Powell’s 53-ball 107 and Nicholas Pooran’s 70 off 43 balls helped the hosts record a massive total on the board. In reply, England scored 204/9 in their 20 overs as West Indies registered a 20-run victory in Barbados. The hosts later won the five-match T20I series 3-2.
Lowest team total
The Afghanistan cricket team registered the lowest team total at the Kensington Oval in the T20I format. Chasing 140 against South Africa, Afghanistan were bowled out for 80 in 16 overs during an ICC World T20 clash in 2010. Mirwais Ashraf (23) and Hamid Hassan were the two Afghan batters to score in double digits. For South Africa, Morne Morkel picked up four wickets while Charl Langeveldt took three wickets.
Most runs
Legendary West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has scored the most runs at this cricket venue in T20I cricket. Between 2010 and 2021, the flamboyant T20 batter accumulated 189 runs in five matches at an average of 37.80 and a strike rate of 133.09. He slammed one T20I fifty at this ground. Compatriot Nicholas Pooran is second on the list with 177 runs in six matches.
Most wickets
West Indies fast bowler Jason Holder bagged the most wickets at the Kensington Oval in T20I cricket. The right-arm pacer has already scalped 17 wickets in seven matches at an average of 10.05 and an economy of 7.89. He registered best bowling figures of 5/27 on this ground in the T20I format. Former Australia left-arm fast bowler Dirk Nannes features second on the list with nine wickets in four matches.
Highest individual score
West Indies cricketer Rovman Powell registered the highest individual score at this venue in the T20I format. During the third T20I of England’s tour of West Indies in 2022, Rovman Powell slammed 107 off just 53 balls to power his side to 224/5 in 20 overs. Powell’s knock included four fours and 10 maximums. West Indies later restricted England to 204/9 in their allotted overs.
Best bowling figures
Jason Holder holds the record for the best bowling figures at the Kensington Oval in T20I cricket. Jason Holder recorded match-winning figures of 5/27 against England in the fifth and final T20I in 2022. Defending 179, Holder dismissed captain Moeen Ali, wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings, Saqib Mahmood, Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid to bowl out England for 162 in 19.5 overs. With the help of Jordan’s spell that saw him claim a hat-trick, West Indies clinched the five-match T20I series 3-2.
Highest partnership
Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara hold the record for the highest partnership at the Kensington Oval in the T20I format. Electing to bat first, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara forged a brilliant 166-run stand for the second wicket against West Indies during an ICC World T20 clash in 2010. Captain Sangakkara scored 68 off 49 balls while Jayawardene remained unbeaten on a 56-ball 98 to power Sri Lanka to 195/3 in their 20 overs. In reply, West Indies scored 138/8 and suffered a 57-run defeat.
Photo credit: Alamy
