The Oval

{{short description|International cricket ground in Kennington, London, England}} {{about|the cricket ground in London||Oval (disambiguation)}} {{Redirect|Surrey Cricket Ground|the cricket ground in Sri Lanka|Surrey Village Cricket Ground}} {{redirect-distinguish|Kennington Oval|Kensington Oval}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Use British English|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox cricket ground | ground_name = The Oval | nickname = | othernames = The Kia Oval | logo_image = Kia oval ground logo.png | logo_caption = | image = The Kia Oval - geograph.org.uk - 4645561.jpg | image_size = | caption = The Oval Pavilion as seen in 2015 | country = England | location = Kennington, London, {{postcode|SE|11}} | coordinates = {{Coord|51|29|1|N|0|6|54|W|type:landmark_scale:3000_region:GB|display=title, inline}} | establishment = {{start date and age|1845}} | seating_capacity = 27,500<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kiaoval.com/main-news/kia-oval-plans-expand-40000/ |title=KIA OVAL PLANS TO EXPAND TO 40,000 |date=8 June 2017 |access-date=1 August 2017 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404015822/https://www.kiaoval.com/main-news/kia-oval-plans-expand-40000/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | owner = Duchy of Cornwall | architect = | contractor = | operator = Surrey County Cricket Club | tenants = {{collapsible list| * Surrey (1845–present) * England football team (1872–89) * England rugby team (1872–79) * England cricket team (1880–present) }} | website = {{URL|https://www.kiaoval.com/|kiaoval.com}} | end1 = Vauxhall End 200px | end2 = Pavilion End

| firstwtestdate = 10–13 July | firstwtestyear = 1937 | firstwtesthome = England | firstwtestaway = Australia | lastwtestdate = 24–28 July | lastwtestyear = 1976 | lastwtesthome = England | lastwtestaway = Australia | firstwodidate = | firstwodiyear = | firstwodihome = | firstwodiaway = | lastwodidate = | lastwodiyear = | lastwodihome = | lastwodiaway = | firstwt20idate = 19 June | firstwt20iyear = 2009 | firstwt20ihome = England | firstwt20iaway = Australia | lastwt20idate = 4 July | lastwt20iyear = 2025 | lastwt20ihome = England | lastwt20iaway = India | year1 = 1846–present | club1 = Surrey | year2 = 1950–1963 | club2 = Corinthian-Casuals (football) | date = 13 July | year = 2024 | source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/ground/57127.html ESPNcricinfo }}

'''The Oval''', currently named for sponsorship reasons as the '''Kia Oval''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/domestic/kia-oval,312675,EN.html|title=Surrey unveil Kia deal – Domestic – News Archive|website=Ecb.co.uk|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kia.co.uk/about-kia/sport-sponsorship/sponsorship-cricket.aspx|title=The Kia Oval & Surrey County Cricket Club {{!}} Kia Motors UK|website=Kia.co.uk|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> is an international cricket ground in Kennington, located in the borough of Lambeth, in south London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/606654-kia-oval#YIrTHfxOllKzJhIU.97|title=The Kia Oval|website=visitlondon.com|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> The Oval has been the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club since it was opened in 1845.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kiaoval.com/about-us/archive-history/|title=Archive / History – Kia Oval|website=The History Of Surrey County Cricket Club {{!}} Club and Ground History {{!}} Kia Oval|language=en-GB|access-date=7 June 2016|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225002117/https://www.kiaoval.com/about-us/archive-history/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol26/pp18-31#p14|title=Kennington: Introduction and the demesne lands {{!}} British History Online|website=British-history.ac.uk|page=14|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol26/pp18-31#p20|title=Kennington: Introduction and the demesne lands {{!}} British History Online|website=British-history.ac.uk|page=20|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> It was the first ground in England to host international Test cricket in September 1880.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://test-cricket-tours.co.uk/page_1626918.html|title=Test Cricket Tours – Australia to England 1930|website=Test-cricket-tours.co.uk|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/ground/57127.html|title=Kennington Oval {{!}} England {{!}} Cricket Grounds {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|website=Cricinfo|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> The final Test match of the English season is traditionally played there.

In addition to cricket history, The Oval has hosted a number of other historically significant sporting events. In 1870, it staged the first representative football match between England and Scotland, although this is not deemed to be an official international by FIFA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/from-the-archive-blog/2011/may/13/guardian190-football-england-scotland|title=5 March 1870: England v Scotland at The Oval|last=Department|first=Guardian Research|date=13 May 2011|website=The Guardian|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> It hosted the first FA Cup final in 1872,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kiaoval.com/fa-cup-final-anniversary|title=FA Cup Final Anniversary – Kia Oval|date=16 March 2012|website=Kia Oval|language=en-US|access-date=26 June 2016|archive-date=1 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701102124/https://www.kiaoval.com/fa-cup-final-anniversary/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kiaoval.com/fa-cup-final-anniversary/|title=FA Cup Final Anniversary – Kia Oval|date=16 March 2012|website=Kia Oval|language=en-US|access-date=7 June 2016|archive-date=1 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701102124/https://www.kiaoval.com/fa-cup-final-anniversary/|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as those between 1874<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engcup1874.html|title=England – FA Challenge Cup 1873–1874|website=RSSSF|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> and 1892.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engcup1892.html|title=England – FA Challenge Cup 1891–1892|website=RSSSF|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> In 1876, it held both the England v. Wales and England v. Scotland rugby international matches and, in 1877, rugby's first varsity match.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/ground/57127.html|title=Kennington Oval |website=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> It also hosted the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy finals in 2004 and 2017, as well as the 2023 World Test Championship final.

==History== thumb|The clock by the Members' entrance to the pavilion The Oval is built on part of the former Kennington Common. Cricket matches were played on the common throughout the early 18th century. The earliest recorded match was the London v Dartford match in June 1724. However, as the common was also used regularly for public executions of those convicted at the Surrey Assizes (it was the south London equivalent of Tyburn), cricket matches had moved away to the Artillery Ground by the 1740s. Kennington Common was eventually enclosed in the mid-19th century under a scheme sponsored by the royal family.

In 1844, the site of the Kennington Oval was a cabbage patch and market garden<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol26/pp18-31#p18|title=The Oval {{!}} Kennington: Introduction and the demesne lands {{!}} British History Online|website=British-history.ac.uk|at=At para 18.|access-date=26 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Oval Cricket Ground|url=https://vauxhallhistory.org/oval-cricket-ground/|access-date=1 September 2021|website=Vauxhallhistory.org}}</ref> owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://duchyofcornwall.org/london.html|title=London {{!}} The Duchy of Cornwall|at=At para 5.|language=en-GB|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thebeehivepub.london/history|title=Before The Beehive {{!}} The Montpellier Tea Gardens, Walworth|website=Thebeehivepub.london|at=At para 14 (Last paragraph).|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> The Duchy was willing to lease the land for the purpose of a cricket ground, and on 10 March 1845 the first lease, which the club later assumed, was issued to Mr. William Houghton (then president of the progenitor Montpelier Cricket Club) by the Otter Trustees who held the land from the Duchy "to convert it into a subscription cricket ground",<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol26/pp18-31#p19|title=The Oval {{!}} Kennington: Introduction and the demesne lands {{!}} British History Online|website=British-history.ac.uk|at=At para 19.|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> for 31 years at a rent of £120 per annum<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://vauxhallhistory.org/oval-cricket-ground|title=Oval Cricket Ground|website=Vauxhallhistory.org|at=At para 1.|access-date=27 June 2016}}</ref> plus taxes amounting to £20.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/historykenningt00montgoog | quote=kennington oval first lease. | title=The History of Kennington and Its Neighborhood: With Chapters on Cricket Past and Present | publisher=H.S. Gold | date=1889 | access-date=4 September 2016 | author=Montgomery, Henry Hutchinson | pages=[https://archive.org/details/historykenningt00montgoog/page/n179 173]}}</ref> The original contract for turfing The Oval cost £300;<ref name=":5" /> the 10,000 grass turfs came from Tooting Common and were laid in the spring of 1845<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> allowing for the first cricket match to be played in May 1845. Hence, Surrey County Cricket Club (SCCC) was established in 1845.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol26/pp18-31#p20|title=The Oval {{!}} Kennington: Introduction and the demesne lands |website=British-history.ac.uk|at=At para 20.|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152864.html|title=Hundred years of Surrey cricket|at=At "The Oval in 1845", paras 2- 4.|access-date=27 June 2016}}</ref>

The popularity of the ground was immediate and the strength of the SCCC grew. On 3 May 1875 the club acquired the remainder of the leasehold for a further term of 31 years from the Otter Trustees for the sum of £2,800.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol26/pp18-31#p20|title=The Oval {{!}} Kennington: Introduction and the demesne lands |website=British-history.ac.uk|at=Paras 20- 22.|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref>

In 1868, 20,000 spectators gathered at The Oval for the first game of the 1868 Aboriginal cricket tour of England, the first tour of England by any foreign side.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nma.gov.au/online_features/defining_moments/featured/aboriginal_cricket_team|title=National Museum of Australia – Aboriginal cricket team|website=Nma.gov.au|access-date=7 June 2016|archive-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603235911/http://www.nma.gov.au/online_features/defining_moments/featured/aboriginal_cricket_team|url-status=dead}}</ref> Thanks to C.W. Alcock, the Secretary of Surrey from 1872 to 1907,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersA/BioAlcockCW.html|title=England Players – Charlie Alcock|website=Englandfootballonline.com|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> the first Test match in England was played at The Oval in 1880 between England and Australia. The Oval, thereby, became the second ground to stage a Test, after Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).<ref>{{Cite book|title=Farokh Engineer From the Far Pavilion|last=Cantrell|first=John|publisher=The History Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0750952538|location=Google Books}}</ref> In 1882, Australia won the Test by seven runs within two days. ''The Sporting Times'' printed a mocking obituary notice<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/446226.html|title=Rise of the Ashes|date=30 January 2010|access-date=27 June 2016|quote="An Affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket Which Died At The Oval On 29 August 1882... "}}</ref> for English cricket, which led to the creation of the Ashes trophy, which is still contested whenever England plays Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/story/259985.html|title=A short history of the Ashes|website=Cricinfo|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> The first Test double century was scored at The Oval in 1884 by Australia's Billy Murdoch.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/murdoch-william-lloyd-billy-4272|title=Murdoch, William Lloyd (Billy) (1854–1911)|last=Morris|first=Christopher|chapter=William Lloyd (Billy) Murdoch (1854–1911) |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|location=Canberra}}</ref>

Surrey's ground is noted as having the first artificial lighting at a sports arena, in the form of gas-lamps, dating to 1889.<ref>''Cricket's Strangest Matches'', page 34, {{ISBN|1-86105-293-6}}</ref> The current pavilion was completed in time for the 1898 season.<ref name=":5"/><ref>[http://www.surreycricket.com/team/club-history] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701034904/http://www.surreycricket.com/team/club-history|date=1 July 2007}}</ref>

In 1907, South Africa became the second visiting Test team to play a Test match at the ground. In 1928, the West Indies played its first Test match at The Oval, followed by New Zealand in 1931. In 1936, India became the fifth foreign visiting Test side to play at The Oval, followed by Pakistan in 1954 and Sri Lanka in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/MISC/COMPLETE_LIST.html|title=Cricinfo – Test Matches – Complete List|website=Static.espncricinfo.com|access-date=27 June 2016}}</ref> Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland have yet to play a Test match at The Oval.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/335431.html|title=Records / Test matches / Team records / List of series results|website=ESPN Cricinfo|at=Find and open "Zimbabwe in England".|access-date=27 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/335431.html|title=Records / Test matches / Team records / List of series results|website=ESPN Cricinfo|at=Find and open "Bangladesh in England".|access-date=27 June 2016}}</ref>

thumb|The pavilion end in 1891 The Oval is referenced by the poet Philip Larkin in his poem about the First World War, "MCMXIV".<ref>"As if they were stretched outside The Oval or Villa Park..." Philip Larkin, "MCMXIV".</ref> During World War II, The Oval was requisitioned, initially housing anti-aircraft searchlights. It was then turned into a prisoner-of-war camp, intended to hold enemy parachutists. However, as they never came, The Oval was never actually used for this purpose.<ref>David Lemmon, ''The History of Surrey County Cricket Club'', Christopher Helm, 1989, {{ISBN|0-7470-2010-8}}, p197.</ref>

The first One Day International match at this venue was played on 7 September 1973 between England and West Indies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/MISC/COMPLETE_LIST.html|title=Cricinfo – ODI Matches – Complete List|website=Static.espncricinfo.com|access-date=27 June 2016}}</ref> It hosted matches of the 1975, 1979, 1983, and 1999 World Cups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/WorldCup/CountryMatchList.asp|title=HowSTAT! World Cup Match List by Country|website=Howstat.com.au|access-date=27 June 2016}}</ref> It also hosted five of the fifteen matches in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, including the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/61157.html|title=ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY (2004)|website=Espncricinfo.com|access-date=27 June 2016}}</ref> The Oval once held the record for the largest playing area of any Test venue in the world. That record has since been surpassed by Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan, although The Oval remains the largest in Great Britain.

Billionaire Paul Getty, who had a great affinity for cricket and was at one time SCCC President, built a replica of The Oval on his Wormsley Park estate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slick.org/deathwatch/mailarchive/msg01017.html|title=[Deathwatch] John Paul Getty II, billionaire, 70|publisher=Slick.org|date=17 April 2003|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>

The famous gasholders just outside the ground were built around 1853.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/10597517/End-of-an-innings-Time-called-on-Oval-landmark.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/10597517/End-of-an-innings-Time-called-on-Oval-landmark.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=End of an innings: Time called on Oval landmark|website=Telegraph.co.uk|date=25 January 2014 |access-date=7 June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> With the gasholders long disused, there was much speculation as to whether they should be demolished; however, many believe they are an integral part of The Oval's urban landscape and, therefore, their future looks secure. In 2016 the main gasholder was given official protected status as a historically important industrial structure.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-35709747|title=Listed status for The Oval's Victorian gasholder – BBC News|work=BBC News|date=3 March 2016|language=en-GB|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref>

On 20 August 2006, The Oval saw the first time a team forfeited a Test match. Pakistan were upset after umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove awarded five penalty runs to the opposition and changed the ball after ruling that the team had tampered with it on the fourth day of the final Test against England. Pakistan debated the matter during the tea break and then refused to come out for the final session in protest. By the time they relented and decided to resume, the umpires had already called time on the match and awarded the game to England by default.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/aug/21/pakistan2006.cricket|title=Inzamam charged by ICC|date=21 August 2006|work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvpak/content/current/story/257055.html |title=Cricinfo – As the chaos unfolded |date=20 August 2006 |publisher=Content-uk.cricinfo.com |access-date=18 August 2014}}</ref>

The Oval hosted its hundredth Test, against South Africa, on 27 July 2017, becoming the fourth Test venue in the world after Lord's, MCG and SCG to do so.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1347866/the-oval-stages-100th-test-today|title=The Oval stages its 100th Test|last=Ahmed|first=Qamar|date=27 July 2017|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=31 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> Moeen Ali also became the first player to ever take a Test hat-trick at The Oval, bowling out South Africa in the second innings to win the match.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/40779516|title=England v South Africa: Moeen Ali hat-trick wraps up hosts' victory|date=31 July 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2 January 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In Tests, the highest team score at The Oval is 903/7 declared by England against Australia on 20 August 1938. The leading run scorers are Len Hutton (1,521 runs), Alastair Cook (1,217 runs) and Graham Gooch (1,097 runs). The leading wicket takers are Ian Botham (52 wickets), James Anderson (50 wickets) and Derek Underwood & Stuart Broad (45 wickets each).

In ODIs, the highest team score at The Oval is 398/5 by New Zealand against England on 12 June 2015. The leading ODI run scorers are Eoin Morgan (705 runs), Joe Root (552 runs) and Marcus Trescothick (528 runs) . The leading ODI wicket takers are James Anderson (30 wickets) and Darren Gough (13 wickets).

In 2021, the Oval Invincibles were formed as a team in the newly-launched The Hundred competition. The initial games in both the men's and women's competition were played on the ground.

==End names== The north-western end of The Oval is traditionally known as the ''Vauxhall End'', as it is nearer to the district of Vauxhall and its railway station.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kiaoval.com/contact-us/ground-map/|title=Ground Map – Kia Oval|website=Kia Oval|language=en-US|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kiaoval.com/contact-us/getting-to-the-kia-oval/|title=Getting To The Kia Oval – Kia Oval|website=Kia Oval|language=en-US|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> The opposite end (south-east) is known as the ''Pavilion'' ''End'' as it is the location of the Members' Pavilion.<ref name=":2" />

==21st-century redevelopment== thumb|Surrey v Yorkshire (OCS stand in background) At the end of the 2002 cricket season, Surrey started redeveloping the Vauxhall End.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Behind the Boundary: Cricket at a Crossroads|last=Wright|first=Graeme|publisher=A&C Black|year=2011|isbn=978-1408165126|location=Google Books|pages=110}}</ref> The development included demolishing the outdated Surridge, Fender, Jardine, and Peter May north stands, and creating in their place a single four-tier grandstand. From completion until 2020 it was known as the OCS stand,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://populous.com/project/kiaoval/|title=Kia Oval {{!}} POPULOUS|website=POPULOUS|language=en-US|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> as it was sponsored by Outsourced Client Solutions International Facilities Management Services. As of the start of the 2021 season it is now known as the JM Finn stand because of a sponsorship deal with JM Finn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jmfinn.com/our-thinking/jm-finn-announces-sponsorship-iconic-vauxhall-end-stand-kia-oval|title=Kia Oval|website=JMFINn|language=en-US|access-date=10 June 2023}}</ref> This work was completed in May 2005 and increased ground capacity to around 23,000.<ref name="Populous: The Best Cricket Ground in The World">{{cite web|title=Populous|url=http://populous.com/project/kiaoval/|access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref>

In January 2007, Surrey CCC, announced plans to increase capacity by a further 2,000 seats, this time by redeveloping the Pavilion End. The Lock, Laker, and Peter May south stands were to be replaced by a new stand, which would have a hotel backing on to it.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/counties/surrey/6274467.stm|title=Surrey unveil new plans for Oval|date=18 January 2007|newspaper=BBC|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> The Surrey Tavern at the entrance to the ground would be demolished, and a new pedestrian plaza would be created in its place, improving access to the ground and opening up views of the historic pavilion.<ref name=":3" /> These plans were delayed by objections raised by the Health & Safety Executive as the ground is close to a gasometer. Planning permission was eventually granted, but development did not proceed due to the 2008 financial crisis.

In 2009, four masts of semi-permanent telescopic floodlights costing £3.7m were installed for use in late-day through evening matches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/373055.html|title=Oval gets all clear for permanent floodlights|website=Cricinfo|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> The floodlights were especially designed to comply with strict residential planning regulations to lessen their visual impact and any light overspill to residents, as well as to improve the game experience within the ground by reducing excess glare that can affect players, umpires, broadcasters and spectators. Precision reflector systems were fitted for tight beam control to decrease overspill and direct light only where needed. Each mast was made extendable to a maximum height of {{Convert|47.6|m|}} and, when not in use, retractable to {{Convert|30|m||abbr=on}}. At the end of each season, all four masts can be removed and stored away.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk/detail.cfm?pagetype=detail&subject=news&codeID=109523|title=Lord's and Oval to get telescopic floodlights|date=19 February 2009 |access-date=1 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abacuslighting.com/casestudy-the-brit-oval.asp|title=The Brit Oval, UK – Case study|website=Abacuslighting.com|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.building.co.uk/floodlighting-lords-cricket-ground/3143293.article|title=Floodlighting Lord's cricket ground|website=Building|access-date=7 June 2016|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

After the 2013 season, a new project was started to add 'wings' to either side of the OCS Stand at the Vauxhall End of the ground. The development was finished in time for the start of the 2014 season. Each 'wing' added 500 seats, increasing the capacity from 23,500 to 24,500.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kiaoval.com/ocs-stand-work-update/|title=OCS Stand Construction Update – Kia Oval|date=11 October 2013|website=Kia Oval|language=en-US|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref>

In September 2015, the Peter May and Tony Lock stands were demolished, to be replaced by a single new and much larger stand named after Peter May. May led Surrey to their sixth and seventh consecutive County Championships in 1957 and 1958 and also captained England from 1955 to 1961, winning the Ashes in 1956. Construction of the new stand, which cost around £10m, began in September 2015. It officially opened on 15 May 2016, increasing the capacity of the ground by 1,300 seats to 25,300.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kiaoval.com/main-news/new-peter-may-stand-to-be-built-this-winter/|title=New Peter May Stand To Be Built This Winter – Kia Oval|date=5 August 2015|website=Kia Oval|language=en-US|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref>

Following the demolition of the Tony Lock stand, the club renamed the Laker Stand as the Lock/Laker Stand, continuing to honour the contribution made by the spin partnership of Tony Lock and Jim Laker, who collectively took 3,108 wickets for the club.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kiaoval.com/surrey-announce-kia-oval-redvelopment/|title=Surrey Announce Kia Oval Redevelopment – Kia Oval|date=13 August 2015|website=Kia Oval|language=en-US|access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref>

The Lock/Laker stand was itself demolished in September 2019, and work began on the construction of a new development in its place, initially named "One Oval Square". The new structure included a three-tier stand that increased the ground's total capacity to 27,500, as well as providing facilities for the Club's hospitality, conference and events businesses, and improved facilities for Members. The new stand opened in June 2021 and was renamed the M.A.R. Galadari Stand. The project is part of a planned £50m long-term redevelopment of the ground by Surrey County Cricket Club which will see The Oval transformed into the largest cricket stadium in the western hemisphere, with a capacity of 40,000.{{CN|date=November 2024}}

Floodlights were added in the shape of an O for oval on one side of the ground to emulate the e-shaped floodlights at Edgbaston. These were replaced ahead of the 2025 season with new LED ones in the shape of the three feathers on Surrey's crest.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Kia Oval is ready for the 2025 season | date=11 April 2025 | url=https://www.kiaoval.com/the-kia-oval-is-ready-for-the-2025-season/ }}</ref>

==Other sports== ===Football=== The Oval was also an important site in the historical development of football in England. Football had been played in this part of London for many years prior to the inauguration of The Oval: "The Gymnastic Society", arguably the world's first organised football club, met regularly at nearby Kennington Common during the second half of the eighteenth century to play the game.<ref>''Football The First Hundred Years: The Untold Story'' by Adrian Harvey, Routledge 2005, page 54</ref>

Between 1950 and 1963, amateur club Corinthian Casuals played their home matches at The Oval,<ref>[http://www.corinthian-casuals.com/football-grounds.html Football grounds] Corinthian-Casuals F.C.</ref> with the pitch at the Vauxhall End.<ref>[http://www.pyramidpassion.co.uk/html/corinthian-casuals.html Corinthian-Casuals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429205111/http://www.pyramidpassion.co.uk/html/corinthian-casuals.html |date=29 April 2016 }} Pyramid Passion</ref>

====First international football match==== {{See also|England v Scotland representative football matches (1870–72)}} The Oval was the venue for the first representative football match in the world on 5 March 1870, England against Scotland, organised by The Football Association.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/991601.cms|title=When and where was the first football match held?|work=The Times of India|date=16 January 2005 |access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0012/index.shtml|title=A Sporting Nation – The first international football match|publisher=BBC|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> The game resulted in a 1–1 draw, but is not recognised by FIFA as the first official international match because the Scotland team was selected only from London-based Scottish players. Similar representative international matches between England and Scotland took place at The Oval until February 1872.

On 8 March 1873, the England national team beat Scotland 4–2 in the first officially recognised international match to be played in England. England continued to play occasionally at The Oval until 1889.<ref>{{Cite book|title=When Saturday Comes: The Half Decent Football Book|publisher=Penguin UK|year=2006|isbn=0141927038|location=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Football venue Kennington Oval, Lambeth → London |url=https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=469 |website=EU football.info |access-date=29 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=England's Matches Unofficial until 1946 |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslUnoffpg1.html |website=England Football Online |access-date=29 November 2021}}</ref> {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"

|+ class="nowrap" | List of England Internationals at The Oval

|- ! Date !! Result !! Opponent !! Competition !! Winner |- |5 March 1870 |1–1 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Friendly (unofficial) |Draw |- |19 November 1870 |1–0 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Friendly (unofficial) |{{flagicon|England}} |- |25 February 1871 |1–1 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Friendly (unofficial) |Draw |- |17 November 1871 |2–1 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Friendly (unofficial) |{{flagicon|England}} |- |24 February 1872 |1–0 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Friendly (unofficial) |{{flagicon|England}} |- |8 March 1873 |4–2 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Friendly |{{flagicon|England}} |- |6 March 1875 |2–2 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Friendly |Draw |- |3 March 1877 |1–3 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Friendly |{{flagicon|Scotland}} |- |19 January 1879 |2–1 | {{flagicon|Wales}} Wales |Friendly |{{flagicon|England}} |- |5 April 1879 |5–4 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Friendly |{{flagicon|England}} |- |12 March 1881 |1–6 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Friendly |{{flagicon|Scotland}} |- |3 February 1883 |5–0 | {{flagicon|Wales}} Wales |Friendly |{{flagicon|England}} |- |21 March 1885 |1–1 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Home International |Draw |- |26 February 1887 |4–0 | {{flagicon|Wales}} Wales |Home International |{{flagicon|England}} |- |13 April 1889 |2–3 | {{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland |Home International |{{flagicon|Scotland}}

|- |19 December 1891 |6–1 | North America |Friendly (unofficial) |{{flagicon|England}} |}

====First FA Cup final====

The Oval was the site of the first FA Cup final, and also both semi-final matches. On 16 March 1872, The Wanderers beat the Royal Engineers 1–0 to win the first FA Cup. This final was notable for the Engineers' then innovative footballing style of teamwork rather than individual play.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.innotts.co.uk/soccer/books/kw3.pdf |title=Details of the 1872 FA Cup Final|publisher=Innotts.co.uk|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> C. W. Alcock, Secretary of The Football Association, was the prime mover in the creation of the competition. He had also just become Secretary of Surrey CCC, so The Oval was the natural choice of venue for the final. Alcock was also captain of the successful Wanderers side. Apart from 1873, The Oval hosted all subsequent FA Cup finals until 1892.

===Rugby=== Between 1872 and 1879, The Oval held seven full cap international rugby union matches. The final of the United Hospitals Challenge Cup, the oldest rugby union cup competition in the world, was also first held at The Oval on Wednesday 3 March 1875.

===Hockey=== From 1935 to 1949 England women's international hockey matches were played at The Oval.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hockeymuseum.net/index.php/121-news/blasts-from-the-past/522-wembley-family-affair|title=Wembley Was A Family Affair|publisher=The Hockey Museum|access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref> One of these matches, in 1938, was the first match in any team sport to be televised by the BBC, as a trial for broadcasting the Oval Test later that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hockeymuseum.net/index.php/24-news/n-2013/68-sports-minister-visit|title=Sports Minister Visit|publisher=The Hockey Museum|access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref>

===Baseball=== On 12 March 1889, the Oval hosted an exhibition baseball game between the Chicago Whitestockings and an "All-American" team as part of Albert Spalding's 1888-1889 baseball world tour. The Oval was reported to have been full, and the match was attended by the Prince of Wales who greeted the players following the game.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=13 March 1889 |title=Base Ball in England: The American Game Played Before Royalty and Parliament|url= |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|page=6}}</ref>

==Conferences and events== As well as being an international sporting venue, The Oval has a conference and events business. The Corinthian Roof Terrace built on the OCS Stand in 2013 features panoramic views of the London skyline.

==Other events== The ground has also hosted other sporting events and also music concerts.

On 18 September 1971, a day-long rock concert was held at The Oval to raise funds for famine relief in war-torn Bangladesh. Featuring The Faces and headlined by The Who, a crowd of over 40,000 people attended, with the stage sited at the Vauxhall End. On 22 August 2025, the Who's concert would be released on its own.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-19 |title=The Who Live At The Oval Review: Legendary Show Out At Last |url=https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/new-music/the-who-live-at-the-oval-reviewed/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Mojo |language=en}}</ref> The following year, two more successful concerts were held; the first featuring Frank Zappa and Hawkwind, the second featuring Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Genesis.

The Oval has hosted exhibition matches for Australian rules football. The first such match was held between {{AFL Car}} and a team of All-Stars in 1972.<ref name="oval">{{cite news|newspaper=The Herald|publication-place=Melbourne|date=30 October 1972|first=Alf|last=Brown|page=24|title=Carlton won match, but not the English}}</ref> In 1987, the Oval hosted what became known as the Battle of Britain between Carlton and North Melbourne, which included numerous fights and future multiple AFL Premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, at the time only a teenager, breaking Ian Aitken's jaw. In 2005, a record crowd for Australian rules football in England (18,884) saw Fremantle defeat the West Coast Eagles in the Western Derby (thus far, the only edition of the fixture to not be played in Perth). In 2012, approximately 10,000 attended a post-season exhibition match between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, which Port Adelaide won by 1 point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/port-adelaide-wins-afl-exhibition-game-against-western-bulldogs-in-london/story-fndv7pj3-1226509926163|title=Port Adelaide wins AFL exhibition game against Western Bulldogs in London|publisher=News.com.au|date=4 November 2012}}</ref>

In 2011, ahead of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium, the Chicago Bears used The Oval as a practice facility.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/8842151/Chicago-Bears-the-underdogs-as-they-prepare-to-clash-with-Tampa-Bucaneers-at-Wembley.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/8842151/Chicago-Bears-the-underdogs-as-they-prepare-to-clash-with-Tampa-Bucaneers-at-Wembley.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Chicago Bears the underdogs as they prepare to clash with Tampa Bucaneers at Wembley|last=Sanchez|first=Raf|journal=The Daily Telegraph|date=21 October 2011|access-date=14 July 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Oval gasometer and gasworks== {{further|The Oval Gasholders}} thumb|The Oval Gasholder A tall Victorian gasometer, sited less than 50 metres beyond the north-eastern stadium wall, has been a dominating feature of the view from the ground since the mid 1800s. A movement to preserve iconic gasometers across the UK as important and historic monuments of Britain's industrial heritage has emerged in recent years, with the one visible from The Oval often cited as a particularly notable example. The skeletal but decorative wrought iron structure is a landmark in the area and has become an intrinsic part of The Oval's history and urban allure. The cricket commentator Henry Blofeld once said in a broadcast, "As the bowler runs in, it's so quiet you can hear the creak of the gasometer."

Although long unused as a gas holder, the aging structure was only officially decommissioned in 2014, with plans to demolish it being announced in 2013. Blofeld stated: "In comparison, pulling down the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace would be child's play.".<ref>Sean O'Hagan, [https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jun/14/gasometers-gas-holders-hold-on-for-a-new-life-repurposing Gasworks wonders…], ''The Guardian'', 14 June 2015.</ref> After local public protest at the proposed demolition, in March 2016 the structure was given Grade II listed status to protect its future.

==Transport connections== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Service !! Station/Stop !! Lines/Routes served !! Distance |- | rowspan="3" |London Buses {{rail-interchange|london|bus}} | Oval Station {{access icon}} || 36, 185, 436 || {{Convert|100|m|}} |- | Clapham Road {{access icon}} || 155, 333 || {{Convert|200|m|}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Kennington,+Oval+(Stop+N)+%4051.482330,-0.111780&daddr=Lockwood+House&hl=en&sll=51.482719,-0.112803&sspn=0.003,0.006856&geocode=FdqOEQMdXEv-_w%3BFeGQEQMdskT-_w&dirflg=w&doflg=ptk&mra=luc&t=m&z=17 |title=Stop N to Lockwood House – Google Maps |publisher=Google Maps |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> |- | Oval Station {{access icon}} || 155, 333 || {{Convert|190|m|}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Oval,+Oval+(Stop+Q)+%4051.481490,-0.112870&daddr=Kennington+Oval&hl=en&sll=51.482145,-0.11298&sspn=0.0015,0.003428&geocode=FZKLEQMdGkf-_w%3BFdSQEQMdoET-_w&dirflg=w&doflg=ptk&mra=luc&t=m&z=18 |title=Stop Q to Kennington Oval – Google Maps |publisher=Google Maps |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | London Underground {{Rail-interchange|london|underground}} | Oval || 100px|link=w:Northern line|alt=Northern line || {{Convert|190|m|}} |- | rowspan="2" | Vauxhall {{access icon}} || 100px|link=w:Victoria line|alt=Victoria line || rowspan="2" | {{Convert|850|m|}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=A202&daddr=Kennington+Oval&geocode=FZudEQMd5x3-_w%3BFfaQEQMdwkT-_w&hl=en&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=17&dirflg=w&sll=51.485358,-0.121247&sspn=0.003541,0.010568&ie=UTF8&ll=51.484403,-0.117781&spn=0.003541,0.010568&z=17 |title=S Lambeth Pl to Kennington Oval – Google Maps |publisher=Google Maps |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> |- | National Rail {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}} || South Western Railway |}

== Test cricket records == thumb|504x504px|Len Hutton holds the record for most career runs at The Oval.

=== Batting === {| class="wikitable" |+Most career runs<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batting records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=runs;template=results;type=batting |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Runs !Player !Period |- |'''1,521''' (19 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Len Hutton |1937–1954 |- |'''1,217''' (24 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Alastair Cook |2006–2018 |- |'''1,097''' (22 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Graham Gooch |1978–1994 |- |'''930''' (17 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Wally Hammond |1928–1946 |- |'''927''' (22 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Joe Root |2013–2025 |} thumb|Don Bradman holds the record for most career runs at the ground by a non-Englishman. thumb|Herbert Sutcliffe scored five centuries at the ground, the most of any player. thumb|Ian Botham has taken the most wickets at the ground, with 52. thumb|Shane Warne took 32 wickets at the ground, the most by a non-Englishman. {| class="wikitable" |+Most career runs (non-England)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batting records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=runs;team=140;team=2;team=25;team=29;team=3;team=4;team=40;team=5;team=6;team=7;team=8;team=9;template=results;tournament_type=2;tournament_type=3;type=batting |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Runs !Player !Period |- |'''553''' (4 innings) |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Don Bradman |1930–1948 |- |'''516''' (7 innings) |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Steve Smith |2013–2023 |- |'''478''' (8 innings) |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Allan Border |1981–1993 |- |'''448''' (5 innings) |{{Flagicon|SA|variant=1928}} Bruce Mitchell |1929–1947 |- |'''443''' (5 innings) |{{Flagicon|IND}} Rahul Dravid |2002–2011 |} {| class="wikitable" |+Highest individual scores<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batting records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=batted_score;template=results;tournament_type=2;tournament_type=3;type=batting;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Runs !Player !Date |- |'''364''' v. Australia |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Len Hutton |20 Aug 1938 |- |'''311*''' v. England |{{Flagicon|SA}} Hashim Amla |19 Jul 2012 |- |'''291''' v. England |{{Flagicon|WIN}} Viv Richards |12 Aug 1976 |- |'''266''' v. England |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Bill Ponsford |18 Aug 1934 |- |'''260''' v. England |{{Flagicon|PAK}} Javed Miandad |6 Aug 1987 |} {| class="wikitable" |+Most centuries<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batting records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=hundreds;template=results;tournament_type=2;tournament_type=3;type=batting |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Centuries !Player !Period |- |'''5''' (11 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Herbert Sutcliffe |1924–1934 |- |'''4''' (15 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Kevin Pietersen |2005–2013 |- |'''4''' (17 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Wally Hammond |1928–1946 |- |'''4''' (19 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Len Hutton |1937–1954 |- |'''4''' (20 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} David Gower |1978–1992 |} {| class="wikitable" |+Highest batting average (3+ matches)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batting records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=batting_average;qualmin2=3;qualval2=matches;template=results;tournament_type=2;tournament_type=3;type=batting |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Average !Player !Period |- |'''183.00''' (3 innings, 1 NO) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Joe Hardstaff Jr |1937–1939 |- |'''138.25''' (4 innings, 0 NO) |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Don Bradman |1930–1948 |- |'''131.00''' (7 innings, 6 NO) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Steve Harmison |2003–2009 |- |'''121.00''' (3 innings, 1 NO) |{{Flagicon|PAK}} Saleem Malik |1987–1996 |- |'''112.00''' (5 innings, 1 NO) |{{Flagicon|SA|variant=1928}} Bruce Mitchell |1929–1947 |}

=== Bowling === {| class="wikitable" |+Most career wickets<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bowling records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=wickets;template=results;tournament_type=2;tournament_type=3;type=bowling |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Wickets !Player !Period |- |'''52''' (20 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Ian Botham |1978–1991 |- |'''50''' (30 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} James Anderson |2003–2023 |- |'''45''' (19 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Derek Underwood |1967–1977 |- |'''45''' (25 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Stuart Broad |2008–2023 |- |'''40''' (10 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Sydney Barnes |1909–1912 |- |'''40''' (15 innings) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Jim Laker |1949–1958 |} {| class="wikitable" |+Most career wickets (non-England)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bowling records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=wickets;team=140;team=2;team=25;team=29;team=3;team=4;team=40;team=5;team=6;team=7;team=8;team=9;template=results;tournament_type=2;tournament_type=3;type=bowling |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Wickets !Player !Period |- |'''32''' (8 innings) |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Shane Warne |1993–2005 |- | rowspan="2" |'''27''' (6 innings) |{{Flagicon|WIN}} Michael Holding |1976–1984 |- |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Dennis Lillee |1972–1981 |- |'''27''' (7 innings) |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Hugh Trumble |1890–1902 |- |'''20''' (5 innings) |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Fred Spofforth |1882–1886 |} {| class="wikitable" |+Best innings figures<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bowling records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=wickets;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Figures !Player !Date |- |'''9/57''' v. South Africa |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Devon Malcolm |18 Aug 1994 |- |'''9/65''' v. England |{{Flagicon|SL}} Muttiah Muralitharan |27 Aug 1998 |- |'''8/29''' v. South Africa |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Sydney Barnes |12 Aug 1912 |- |'''8/65''' v. England |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Hugh Trumble |11 Aug 1902 |- |'''8/92''' v. England |{{Flagicon|WIN}} Michael Holding |12 Aug 1976 |} {| class="wikitable" |+Best match figures<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bowling records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=wickets;template=results;type=bowling;view=match |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Figures !Player !Date |- |'''16/220''' v. England |{{Flagicon|SL}} Muttiah Muralitharan |27 Aug 1998 |- |'''14/90''' v. England |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Fred Spofforth |28 Aug 1882 |- |'''14/149''' v. England |{{Flagicon|WIN}} Michael Holding |12 Aug 1976 |- |'''13/57''' v. South Africa |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Sydney Barnes |12 Aug 1912 |- |'''12/89''' v. England |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Hugh Trumble |10 Aug 1896 |- |'''12/99''' v. England |{{Flagicon|PAK}} Fazal Mahmood |12 Aug 1954 |- |'''12/101''' v. New Zealand |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Derek Underwood |21 Aug 1969 |- |'''12/102''' v. Australia |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Fred Martin |11 Aug 1890 |- |'''12/104''' v. Australia |{{Flagicon|ENG}} George Lohmann |12 Aug 1886 |- |'''12/173''' v. England |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Hugh Trumble |11 Aug 1902 |} Note: best match figures limited to 10; there have actually been seven 12-wicket match hauls at The Oval. {| class="wikitable" |+Lowest strike rate (4+ innings)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bowling records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=bowling_strike_rate;qualmin2=4;qualval2=innings_bowled;template=results;type=bowling |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Strike rate !Player !Period |- |'''23.5''' (13 wickets) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Bobby Peel |1888–1896 |- |'''26.9''' (20 wickets) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Frank Woolley |1909–1934 |- |'''30.3''' (27 wickets) |{{Flagicon|WIN}} Michael Holding |1976–1984 |- |'''31.2''' (22 wickets) |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Sydney Barnes |1909–1912 |- |'''31.2''' (11 wickets) |{{Flagicon|PAK}} Wahab Riaz |2010–2016 |}

=== Team records === thumb|436x436px|Hutton topscored with 364, as England totalled 903/7d in 1938. {| class="wikitable" |+Highest innings scores<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=team_score;template=results;tournament_type=2;tournament_type=3;type=team;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Score !Team !Date |- |'''903/7d''' |{{Flagicon|ENG}} England v. Australia |20 Aug 1938 |- |'''708''' |{{Flagicon|PAK}} Pakistan v. England |6 Aug 1987 |- |'''701''' |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Australia v. England |18 Aug 1934 |- |'''695''' |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Australia v. England |16 Aug 1930 |- |'''692/8d''' |{{Flagicon|WIN}} West Indies v. England |24 Aug 1995 |} {| class="wikitable" |+Lowest completed innings<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=team_score;orderbyad=reverse;template=results;type=team;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Team records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=team_score;orderbyad=reverse;qualmin1=8;qualval1=team_wickets;template=results;type=team;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Score !Team !Date |- |'''44''' |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Australia v. England |10 Aug 1896 |- |'''52''' |{{Flagicon|ENG}} England v. Australia |14 Aug 1948 |- |'''63''' | rowspan="3" |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Australia v. England |28 Aug 1882 |- |'''65''' |19 Aug 1912 |- |'''68''' |12 Aug 1886 |}

=== Partnership records === {| class="wikitable" |+Highest partnerships<ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Runs !Wicket !Players !Match !Date |- |'''451''' | rowspan="2" |2nd |Bill Ponsford (266) & Don Bradman (244) |{{cr|Australia}} v. {{cr|England}} |18 Aug 1934 |- |'''382''' |Len Hutton (364) & Maurice Leyland (187) |{{cr|England}} v. {{cr|Australia}} |20 Aug 1938 |- |'''377*''' |3rd |Hashim Amla (311*) & Jacques Kallis (182*) |{{cr|SAF}} v. {{cr|England}} |19 Jul 2012 |- |'''351''' |2nd |Graham Gooch (196) & David Gower (157) |{{cr|England}} v. {{cr|Australia}} |29 Aug 1985 |- |'''350''' |3rd |Ian Bell (235) & Kevin Pietersen (175) |{{cr|England}} v. {{cr|IND}} |18 Aug 2011 |} {| class="wikitable" |+Highest partnerships by wicket<ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmax1=1;partnership_wicketval1=partnership_wicket;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmax2=2;partnership_wicketmin2=2;partnership_wicketval2=partnership_wicket;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmax2=3;partnership_wicketmin2=3;partnership_wicketval2=partnership_wicket;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmax2=4;partnership_wicketmin2=4;partnership_wicketval2=partnership_wicket;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmax2=5;partnership_wicketmin2=5;partnership_wicketval2=partnership_wicket;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmax2=6;partnership_wicketmin2=6;partnership_wicketval2=partnership_wicket;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmax2=7;partnership_wicketmin2=7;partnership_wicketval2=partnership_wicket;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmax2=8;partnership_wicketmin2=8;partnership_wicketval2=partnership_wicket;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmax2=9;partnership_wicketmin2=9;partnership_wicketval2=partnership_wicket;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;ground=45;orderby=fow_score;partnership_wicketmin2=10;partnership_wicketval2=partnership_wicket;template=results;type=fow;view=innings |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> !Runs !Wicket !Players !Match !Date |- |'''290''' |1st |Geoff Pullar (175) & Colin Cowdrey (155) |{{cr|England}} v. {{cr|South Africa}} |18 Aug 1960 |- |'''451''' |2nd |Bill Ponsford (266) & Don Bradman (244) |{{cr|Australia}} v. {{cr|England}} |18 Aug 1934 |- |'''377*''' |3rd |Hashim Amla (311*) & Jacques Kallis (182*) |{{cr|SAF}} v. {{cr|England}} |19 Jul 2012 |- |'''285''' |4th |Travis Head (163) & Steve Smith (121) |{{cr|Australia}} v. {{cr|IND}} |7 Jun 2023 |- |'''191''' |5th |Javed Miandad (260) & Imran Khan (118) |{{cr|PAK}} v. {{cr|England}} |6 Aug 1987 |- |'''215''' |6th |Len Hutton (364) & Joe Hardstaff Jr (169*) |{{cr|England}} v. {{cr|Australia}} |20 Aug 1938 |- |'''142''' |7th |Jack Sharp (105) & Kenneth Hutchings (59) |{{cr|England}} v. {{cr|Australia}} |9 Aug 1909 |- |'''217''' |8th |Tom Graveney (165) & John Murray (112) |{{cr|England}} v. {{cr|West Indies}} |18 Aug 1966 |- |'''190''' |9th |Asif Iqbal (146) & Intikhab Alam (51) |{{cr|PAK}} v. {{cr|England}} |24 Aug 1967 |- |'''128''' |10th |Ken Higgs (63) & John Snow (59) |{{cr|England}} v. {{cr|West Indies}} |18 Aug 1966 |} Last updated 23 October 2025.

==See also== {{portal|Cricket}} *List of international cricket centuries at the Oval *List of international cricket five-wicket hauls at the Oval *Archbishop Tenison's School – a historic school located next to the ground, often used as a vantage point for TV cameras and crews *Gasworks Gallery, next to the ground *History of Test cricket from 1877 to 1883 *History of Test cricket from 1884 to 1889 *History of Test cricket from 1890 to 1900 *List of cricket grounds in England and Wales *List of Test cricket grounds *List of stadiums in the United Kingdom by capacity *Lists of stadiums

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{commons category}} * {{official website}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20040603175838/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/GROUNDS/ENG/LONDON/KENNINGTON_OVAL_00045/ Cricinfo page on The Oval] * [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=London&ie=UTF8&z=17&ll=51.483514,-0.115045&spn=0.004744,0.01045&t=h&om=1 Aerial view of The Oval at Google Maps] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231151/http://static.surreycricket.com/images/width800/ground-plana4-low-res-2016.jpg Annotated aerial photograph] * [http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/reference.aspx?uid=16180&index=24&mainQuery=The%20Oval&searchType=all&form=home Images of The Oval]

{{s-start}} {{succession box | title=FA Cup Final Venue| before=''none''| after=''Lillie Bridge'' ''London''| years='''1872''' }} {{succession box | title=FA Cup Final Venue| before=''Lillie Bridge'' ''London''| after=''Fallowfield'' ''Manchester''| years='''1874–1892''' }} {{s-end}} {{The Oval}} {{Surrey CCC}} {{South East Stars}} {{Test Cricket Grounds ENG}} {{LB Lambeth}} {{London landmarks}} {{Australian rules football in England}} {{Cricket in England}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oval, The}} Category:The Oval Category:Cricket grounds in London Category:Cricket in London Category:Defunct football venues in England Category:Kennington Category:Sport in the London Borough of Lambeth Category:Sports venues completed in 1845 Category:History of the London Borough of Lambeth Category:Surrey County Cricket Club grounds Category:Test cricket grounds in England Category:Corinthian-Casuals F.C. Category:Defunct rugby union venues in England Category:Australian rules football grounds Category:World War II prisoner-of-war camps in England Category:1845 establishments in England