Sahara Willowmoore Park

Description

Willowmoore Park Cricket Stadium (officially known as Sahara Willowmoore Park) is a multi-purpose, 20,000-capacity stadium situated in Benoni, Gauteng. As one of South Africa's newer international grounds, the smaller-sized venue is the headquarters for the Eastern Cricket Union. It is home to the Easterns provincial team and is also used by the Nashua Titans franchise.

Willowmoore Park Cricket Stadium was founded by British coalminers and owes its name to the willow trees and the moor at the south end of the ground.Stadium highlights include:

• 1913: The first international match at this ground was played between a South African invitation team and England. • 1924: The stadium officially opened. • 1962: The first day-night match in the world was played here between South Africa and Australia. • 1948: Former English batsman Dennis Compton scored a record 300 runs in 3 hours against South Africa. It remains the fastest ever triple century. • 1997: The ground hosted its first One Day International, between Zimbabwe and India, which saw a capacity crowd of 12 000 spectators. Sachin Tendulker celebrated the new venue's debut with a century as the Indians won by six wickets, with over 10 overs to spare.

The facilities were revamped for the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, where it hosted two matches. The new Media Centre was voted in the top 3 in the country by the press during the world cup. To date, Willowmoore Park and the Eastern Cricket Union have been part of the successful hosting of the u19 World Cup, the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup, and the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Tournament in 2009. The stadium is also home to the Africa Cricket Association which hosts all its regional qualifying tournaments at this ground.

Willowmoore Park has a second field with a grandstand, dining hall, and change rooms. The stadium also has 9 additional fields that are capable of playing 9 junior matches and 6 senior matches on the weekend. Plans are currently underway to increase the number of fields within the Willowmoore Precinct (which includes the adjacent High School).