Sabina Park

Infobox cricket ground
ground_name = Sabina Park
nickname =
country = West Indies
location = Kingston, Jamaica
establishment =
seating_capacity = 16,000
owner =
operator =
tenants =
end1 = Blue Mountains End
end2 = Headley Stand End
international = true
firsttestdate = 3 April
firsttestyear = 1930
firsttesthome = West Indies
firsttestaway = England
lasttestdate = 30 June
lasttestyear = 2006
lasttesthome = West Indies
lasttestaway = India
firstodidate = 26 April
firstodiyear = 1984
firstodihome = West Indies
firstodiaway = Australia
lastodidate = 24 April
lastodiyear = 2007
lastodihome = New Zealand
lastodiaway = Sri Lanka
year1 = 1895 – present
club1 = Jamaica
date = 17 December
year = 2007
source = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/30/1780.html CricketArchive

Sabina Park is the home of the Kingston Cricket Club, and is the only Test cricket ground in Kingston, Jamaica. It is located in the part of Kingston with the driest microclimate, and for many years the pitch was one of the hardest and fastest in the Caribbean.

Sabina Park became a Test cricket ground in 1930 when it hosted the visiting MCC team for the second Test in the West Indies' first home series. This picturesque ground is perhaps one of the most significant in Test cricket history recording the first triple century in the game with England's Andy Sandham's 325 versus the West Indies in the 1930 game. The 365 not out by Sir Garfield Sobers which stood as a Test record for over 36 years is more regaled, as was Lawrence Rowe's world record on debut 214 and 100 not out against the visiting New Zealanders in 1972.

The George Headley stand which dominates the south end is currently the only stand in the ground named after anyone, has a capacity of just over 6,000. The Eastern Stands has given way to a "Party Stand" replacing the popular "Mound" stand. Development of the ground gave seemingly very little thought to the "true cricket fans", as opposed to those who can afford the stands. The general capacity of Jamaicans for excess is aptly demonstrated in the construction of the huge 5 level concrete stand which hosts the outside broadcast facilities, players facilities as well as a fleet of upscale private boxes.

The members pavilion lies square of the wicket on the west side. A charming old wooden building, it still remains one of the places to be seen at a cricket match, despite the poor location. Rather, no member is allowed to say a lady's name in the club, or else he buys drinks for everyone there. This has its roots in a dispute, where a man mentioned a woman's name as having a liaison with her. Unfortunately for him, her husband was right behind him.

The spectacular Blue Mountains form a picturesque and spectacular backdrop to the north facing the George Headley Stand, with Kingston Harbour to the south. Sadly, all of this view is now obscured by the imposing Northern Stand, built as part of the ground's redevelopment for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. This redevelopment resulted in significant changes in the character of the ground as the massive 5 storey North Stand has completely obscured the lovely mountain view patrons had from the George Headley Stand at the south. Fortunately Jamaican cricket artist Richard Blackford has done two lovely paintings for the discerning cricket fans and are both "must sees" if not "must haves."which offer excellent contrast of before and after on his websites at:www.cricimages.com., and www.imagesofthegame.com.

In terms of size, Sabina Park is still relatively small. It can fit a 400 metre running track comfortably on its perimeter, but little else, and with its refurbishing, the capacity has increased to 16,000.

Sabina Park's greatest moment in Test cricket was Firstly Andy Sandhams 325 in 1930 which recorded Test Cricket's first trple century. Then came the 365 not out made by Garry Sobers against the Pakistanis that stood for many years as the highest individual test score. Conversely its worst moment was when the England - West Indies Test in January 1998 was abandoned on the opening day due to an appalling pitch endangering the players.

Prior to Independence Park opening in 1962, it would also host the Jamaica national football team.

External links

* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=+17%C2%B058%E2%80%B240.47%E2%80%B3N,+76%C2%B046%E2%80%B257.24%E2%80%B3W&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&client=firefox-a&z=18&ll=17.977908,-76.782567&spn=0.003847,0.006781&t=h&om=1 Satellite image at Google Maps]