University Oval, the home ground for the Otago Cricket Association, is located in Dunedin, New Zealand. The ground has been used for domestic tournaments since 1920 but hosted its first international match - New Zealand’s Test against Bangladesh - in January 2008.
The venue was expanded for the first time in 2004. It was once again expanded in 2012 to accommodate more spectators. Currently, the University Oval can host around 4,500 spectators.
The University Oval has also hosted only one T20 International (T20I) match so far. New Zealand played Australia at the venue in the second match of a five-match T20I series in 2021. A 50-ball 97 from Martin Guptill and a half-century from captain Kane Williamson helped New Zealand reach 219/7 in 20 overs and eventually win the match by four runs.
Here’s a look at the T20I records at University Oval, New Zealand.
University Oval T20I records and stats
Highest individual score
New Zeland opener Martin Guptill struck 97 off 50 against Australia during the second match of the 2021 five-match bilateral T20I series. His inning was laced with eight maximums and six fours and came at a strike rate of 194.00. Guptill eventually fell three runs short of a century after being caught on the boundary by Marcus Stoinis on the bowling of Daniel Sams in the 15th over. New Zealand posted 219/7 in 20 overs and won the match by four runs.
Best bowling figures
Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner produced a fine spell of 4/31 to help New Zealand beat Australia in the second match of the 2021 five-match bilateral T20I series. His wickets included a well-set Josh Philippe, a dangerous Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, and Ashton Agar.
Highest team total
With only one T20I match played at the University Oval, New Zealand’s 219/7 in 20 overs is the highest team total at the venue. Martin Guptill’s 97 off 50, captain Kane Williamson’s 53 off 35 and James Neesham’s quickfire 45 off 16 at the death were the top scores for New Zealand in the game.
Lowest team total
Australia’s 215/8 in 20 overs against New Zealand, surprisingly, is the lowest team total at the venue. Marcus Stoinis’ 78 off 37 threatened to take the game away from New Zealand but Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner put on the breaks to help New Zealand win the match by four runs.
Highest partnership
A 131-run stand for the second wicket between Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson in February 2021 is the highest T20I partnership at the University Oval. Martin Guptill was caught on the boundary three runs short of his century while Kane Williamson went on to score 53 off 35.
Photo Credit: Alamy
