Seddon Park is New Zealand’s fourth-largest cricket ground located in Hamilton.
Established in 1950, Seddon Park is named after Richard Seddon, the longest-serving Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Located close to the centre of Hamilton, the cricket venue is famous for its village green-style setting, affording a picnic atmosphere for spectators.
Apart from cricket, the stadium has been used for rugby union, rugby league and hockey matches.
Seddon Park staged its first international cricket match, a One-Day International (ODI) played between hosts New Zealand and India in February 1981. New Zealand won the game by 57 runs.
Ten years later, it hosted its first Test match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The match ended in a draw.
In December 2008, Seddon Park staged its first T20 international between New Zealand and West Indies. Since then, it has staged more than 10 T20Is so far.
Let’s have a look at Seddon Park T20I records and stats:
Seddon Park T20I records and stats
Highest team total
The New Zealand cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at Seddon Park in T20 international cricket. During the third T20I of India’s tour of New Zealand in Hamilton in 2019, the Kane Williamson-led hosts posted 212/4 in their 20 overs. Colin Munro’s 72 off 40 balls and Tim Seifert’s 25-ball 43 powered New Zealand to a record T20I total at the venue. In reply, India scored 208/6 in their allotted 20 overs as New Zealand won the game by four runs. With the win, the host clinched the three-match T20I series 2-1.
Lowest team total
The Bangladesh cricket team registered the lowest team total at Seddon Park in the T20I format. Bangladesh were bowled out for 78 in 17.3 overs during their tour of New Zealand in February 2010. Raqibul Hasan top-scored for Bangladesh with 18 off 13 balls. For New Zealand, captain Daniel Vettori bagged three wickets while Daryl Tuffey, Nathan McCullum and Jacob Oram took two wickets each. Brendon McCullum (56 not out) and Peter Ingram (20 not out) helped New Zealand chase down the target in just 8.2 overs. New Zealand won the only T20I of the series by 10 wickets.
Most runs
Former New Zealand cricketer Martin Guptill scored the most runs at the venue in T20I cricket. Between 2010 and 2021, the swashbuckling right-handed batter scored 374 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 53.42 and a strike rate of 144.96. Guptill slammed two fifties in the T20I format at Seddon Park. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson features second on the list with 307 runs in seven matches.
Most wickets
New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has bagged the most wickets at this cricket ground in T20 internationals. The right-arm fast bowler has picked up 10 wickets in as many matches at an average of 32.30 and an economy of 8.50. He registered his best bowling figures of 4/21 at Seddon Park against Pakistan. Former New Zealand spinner Nathan McCullum is second on the list with eight wickets in five matches.
Highest individual score
South Africa’s Richard Levi holds the record for the highest individual score at Seddon Park in T20I cricket. Chasing 174, the Proteas opening batter Richard Levi scored an unbeaten 117 off 51 balls to help his side chase down the target in just 16 overs during the second T20I of South Africa’s tour of New Zealand in 2012. Levi’s match-winning knock was laced with five fours and 13 maximums. Earlier, New Zealand scored 173/4 in their allotted overs. South Africa won the game by eight wickets and later clinched the three-match series 2-1.
Best bowling figures
Former New Zealand cricketer James Franklin registered the best bowling figures at this venue in T20 international cricket. The left-arm fast bowler registered impressive figures of 4/15 during the second T20I of England’s tour of New Zealand in 2013. Franklin dismissed Jos Buttler, captain Stuart Broad, James Tredwell and Jade Dernbach to help bowl out England for 137 in 19.3 overs while defending 193. Earlier, New Zealand posted 192/6 in their allotted overs. Despite winning the second T20I by 55 runs, the hosts lost the three-match series 1-2.
Highest partnership
New Zealand’s Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson hold the record for the highest partnership at Seddon Park in T20I cricket. During the second T20I of Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand in 2016, Guptil and Williamson forged a match-winning 171-run partnership for the opening wicket to guide New Zealand to a 10-wicket win in Hamilton. While Guptill scored 87 not out off 58 balls, Williamson slammed a 48-ball 72 as the Kiwis successfully chased down a 169-run target. New Zealand later won the three-match T20I series 2-1.
Photo credit: Alamy
