The Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium is a picturesque cricket venue located near Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.
Established in 2002, the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium was previously known as the Beausejour Cricket Ground, named after the Beausejour hills and situated on the outskirts of Rodney Bay on the island's north-east coast.
In July 2016, the Beausejour Cricket Ground was formally renamed as the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium after former West Indies cricket team captain Daren Sammy.
Under Daren Sammy’s leadership, West Indies won the T20 World Cup twice in 2012 and 2016. He was the second West Indies captain after Clive Lloyd to bag multiple ICC world championships.
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 staged its first international match, a one-day international (ODI) played between West Indies and New Zealand in June 2002.
A year later, it hosted its first Test match that featured West Indies and Sri Lanka in June 2003.
In 2010, the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium was one of the venues that staged 10 T20 World Cup matches in the Caribbean.
Since then, it has hosted more than 15 T20 international matches so far. Know Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium T20 records and stats.
Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium T20 records and stats
Highest total
The West Indies cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in T20 international cricket. During a T20 World Cup 2024 group match, the Rovman Powell-led home team posted 218/5 in their 20 overs against Afghanistan. Put into bat, Nicholas Pooran (98), Johnson Charles (43), Powell (26) and Shai Hope (25) helped West Indies post a record T20 total at the venue. In reply, the Afghans were bundled out for 114 in 16.2 overs as the home team won the game by 104 runs in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.
Lowest total
The West Indies cricket team registered the lowest total at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in T20 international cricket. West Indies were bundled out for 105 in 19 overs against Australia in a T20 World Cup 2010 group match in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. Opting to bat first, West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals as Ramnaresh Sarwan top-scored with 26. For Australia, Steven Smith bagged three wickets while Mitchell Johnson and David Hussey picked up two scalps each. The Michael Clarke-led Australia later chased down the target in 16.2 overs to register a six-wicket win.
Most runs
West Indies cricketer Nicholas Pooran has scored the most runs at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in T20I format. From 2019 to date, Pooran has amassed 288 runs in eight matches at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 145.45. He has slammed two T20I fifties at this venue in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, with a top score of 98. Former teammate Lendl Simmons features second on the list with 230 runs in six games at an average of 38.33 and a strike rate of 128.49.
Most wickets
West Indies’ Hayden Walsh has picked up the most wickets at this cricket ground in the T20 international format. The talented leg-spinner claimed 12 T20I wickets in five matches at an average of 11.66 and an economy of just seven runs per over. Former Pakistan cricketer Saeed Ajmal is second on the list with 11 wickets in five games at an average of 14.45 and an economy of 8.44.
Highest individual score
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina holds the record for the highest individual score at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in T20 international cricket. Batting at No.3, Suresh Raina slammed 101 off just 60 balls against South Africa in a T20 World Cup 2010 group match in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. His scintillating knock was laced with nine fours and five maximums to power India to 186/5 in their 20 overs. Later, MS Dhoni’s India restricted South Africa to 172/5 in their allotted overs to secure a 14-run victory.
Best bowling figures
West Indies spinner Devendra Bishoo has the best bowling figures at this venue in the T20I format. The leg-spinner registered match-winning figures of 4/17 during the only T20I of Pakistan’s tour of West Indies in April 2011. Defending 150, Devendra Bishoo dismissed Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq, captain Shahid Afridi and Abdur Rehman to help restrict Pakistan to 143/9 in their 20 overs. Earlier, West Indies scored 150/7 in their allotted overs as they won the nail-biting T20I by seven runs.
Highest partnership
Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt hold the record for the highest partnership at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in T20 international cricket. During a T20 World Cup 2010 group match in 2010, Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt forged a brilliant 142-run partnership for the opening wicket against Bangladesh. Both Kamran and Salman scored 73 each to power Pakistan to 172/3 in their 20 overs. Later, Pakistan restricted Bangladesh to 151/7 in their allotted overs to win the T20 World Cup encounter by 21 runs.
Photo credit: Alamy
