Formerly known as the Westpac Stadium, or Westpac Trust, the Sky Stadium is located in Wellington. The sports stadium has a shiny exterior, and thus is also famously known as the “Cake Tin”. Established in 1999, the multipurpose stadium has hosted as many as 19 T20Is until yet. The Basin Reserve stadium is located near the Wellington Railway Station and serves as the practice ground for the New Zealand cricket team during the off-season.
Sky Stadium: Seating Capacity
Sky Stadium has the capacity to host 36,000 spectators at a time. However, the capacity can be expanded to up to the extent of 40,000 when temporary seating provisions come in place.
Size and Boundary Length
The dimensions of Sky Stadium are recorded at 235 meters long and 185 meters wide. Meanwhile, the boundary lengths of Wellington Stadium are set at 65 meters and 60 meters. Moreover, the venue offers fast outfields, ultimately, favoring the batting side.
Also Read: India Vs New Zealand T20I Series: Schedule, Venues, Squads, and Where to Watch?
Sky Stadium History
The Sky Stadium was established in 1999, replacing the Athletic Park in Wellington. The primary reason for rebuilding the arena was to provide a suitable venue to host One Day Internationals. Initially, the stadium was named the Westpac Stadium. However, it was renamed “Sky” in 2020 as per a contract signed in 2019. The venue is a multipurpose stadium and is famously used for rugby championships. Situated at a hilltop, the venue has always been prone to incessant rain. The venue hosted its first One Day International match in 2000 between home team New Zealand and West Indies.
Pitch Details
Like other pitches in New Zealand, the Sky Stadium also sports a drop-in pitch. The pitch is known to be a batting track, offering ample bounce. The venue favors batters as the ball comes nicely on the bat, proving especially non-giving to spinners.
T20I Stats for the Venue
The Sky Stadium in Wellington has hosted 19 T20 matches until yet. The average first innings score at this venue is 154. And the average second innings score drops down to 130.
- Highest Recorded Total: 219/6 by New Zealand
- Lowest Recorded Total: 96/10 by New Zealand Women
- Highest Score Chased: 163/6 by New Zealand
- Lowest Defended Score: 128/9 by England Women
