The Kennington Oval, popularly known as The Oval, is one of the oldest and most famous cricket stadiums in the world. Located in London, England, the venue has hosted international cricket since the 19th century and remains one of England’s premier grounds for Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is.
The Oval is the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club and regularly hosts England international matches. The pitch is generally batting-friendly but also offers good assistance to fast bowlers with the new ball, making it a balanced venue across all formats.
Here is the complete Kennington Oval pitch report, venue records, and stats for 2026.
Kennington Oval, London Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | London, England |
| Opened | 1845 |
| Capacity | 23,500 |
| Known As | The Oval, The AMP Oval, The Foster’s Oval, The Brit Oval |
| Ends | Pavilion End, Vauxhall End |
| Home Team | Surrey, England |
| Floodlights | Yes |
| Time Zone | UTC +01:00 |
Kennington Oval Pitch Report 2026
The pitch at Kennington Oval usually provides a good contest between bat and ball. During the first few overs, fast bowlers get movement because of the fresh surface and English weather conditions. Batters who survive the new ball can score freely as the wicket becomes better for stroke play.
In ODI cricket, first innings scores around 250 runs are considered competitive. In T20 matches, teams generally aim for 160 or more to put pressure on the chasing side.
The surface stays true throughout the game, although spinners can find some grip during the middle overs. Overall, it is one of England’s most balanced cricket pitches.
Kennington Oval ODI Records
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 82 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 35 |
| Matches Won Bowling First | 43 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 246 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 210 |
| Highest Total | 398/5 by New Zealand vs England |
| Lowest Total | 74/10 by Netherlands Women vs England Women |
| Highest Successful Chase | 322/3 by Sri Lanka vs India |
| Lowest Total Defended | 154/8 by New Zealand Women vs India Women |
Kennington Oval T20I Records
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 21 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 11 |
| Matches Won Bowling First | 9 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 152 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 138 |
| Highest Total | 211/5 by South Africa vs Scotland |
| Lowest Total | 81/10 by Scotland vs South Africa |
| Highest Successful Chase | 173/5 by England vs West Indies |
| Lowest Total Defended | 113/5 by West Indies vs England |
T20 International Statistical Overview
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 17 |
| Home Team Wins | 4 |
| Touring Team Wins | 5 |
| Neutral Team Wins | 7 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 9 |
| Matches Won Batting Second | 7 |
| Matches Won Winning Toss | 4 |
| Matches Won Losing Toss | 12 |
| No Result | 1 |
| Highest Individual Score | 96* – Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) |
| Best Bowling Figures | 5/6 – Umar Gul (Pakistan) |
| Highest Team Total | 211/5 – South Africa |
| Lowest Team Total | 81 – Scotland |
| Highest Successful Chase | 173/5 – England |
| Average Runs Per Wicket | 23.29 |
| Average Runs Per Over | 8.31 |
| Average First Innings Score | 151 |
Kennington Oval Test Records
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 114 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 44 |
| Matches Won Bowling First | 30 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 337 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 300 |
| Average 3rd Innings Score | 239 |
| Average 4th Innings Score | 159 |
| Highest Total | 903/7 by England vs Australia |
| Lowest Total | 44/10 by Australia vs England |
| Highest Successful Chase | 263/9 by England vs Australia |
| Lowest Total Defended | 77/10 by England vs Australia |
Major Matches Scheduled at Kennington Oval in 2026
| Tournament | Match |
|---|---|
| ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 | England Women vs New Zealand Women |
| ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Semi-final 1 |
| ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Semi-final 2 |
| The Hundred 2026 | Multiple Men’s & Women’s Matches |
| T20 Blast 2026 | Surrey Home Matches |
| England Domestic One-Day Cup | Surrey Home Matches |
| County Championship | Surrey Home Matches |
| Sri Lanka Tour of England | England vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI |
FAQs
Q1. Is Kennington Oval a batting or bowling pitch?
Ans: Kennington Oval offers a balanced surface. Fast bowlers get early swing, while batters enjoy good conditions after settling in.
Q2. What is the average first innings score in ODI matches at Kennington Oval?
Ans: The average first innings score in ODIs is 246 runs.
Q3. What is the average first innings score in T20Is at Kennington Oval?
Ans: The average first innings score in T20 Internationals is 152 runs.
Q4. What is the highest T20I score at Kennington Oval?
Ans: The highest T20I total is 211/5, scored by South Africa against Scotland.
Q5. Which are the two bowling ends at Kennington Oval?
Ans: The two bowling ends are the Pavilion End and the Vauxhall End.
