Wellington · New Zealand · 2003–2025
Basin Reserve, Wellington: Pitch Conditions, Records and Match Stats
At a glance
Matches
79
All formats
Par score
231
1st-innings average
Chase success
49%
Balanced
Bat-first win
47%
Long-sample record
Pitch & conditions
The patterns we see repeat across the matches on record — what works at Basin Reserve, and what captains should plan for.
Across 79 matches, captains who win the toss have opted to field 69% of the time. The second-innings average of 210 sits 21 runs below the first-innings mark of 231, suggesting conditions may ease as matches progress, though the near-even chase success rate of 49% means batting second is no guarantee.
The average powerplay produces 25 runs at a wicket cost of 0.84 per innings. That relatively low scoring rate tends to reward disciplined new-ball bowling and could make early wickets disproportionately influential in both Test and Super Smash cricket played here.
With an average of 182 runs scored in the middle overs compared to just 20 at the death, Basin Reserve tilts decisively towards accumulation rather than late-innings carnage. Teams that build through overs 10 to 40 have historically posted the strongest first-innings totals here.
The Black Caps have won 17 of their 34 matches at this ground across all formats, a 63% win rate. No other visiting nation approaches that mark, with Australia the only touring side to hold a 100% record. Though they have played just five matches here.
The top five individual scores at Basin Reserve all exceed 239 runs, a concentration of major innings that reflects how the surface can reward patience once a batter is settled. KS Williamson's 311 off 553 balls against Sri Lanka in January 2015 stands as the benchmark.
By the numbers
Career aggregates from the matches LuckySpire tracks at Basin Reserve. Drawn from Cricsheet ball-by-ball data under ODC-BY licence.
Avg 1st inn
231
T20-era par
Avg 2nd inn
210
Chasing average
Chase success
49%
All formats
Highest total
595
On record
Lowest total
99
Complete innings
Phase-by-phase · scoring trajectory
Cumulative scoring trajectory across a typical white-ball innings at Basin Reserve. Phase bands show Powerplay (overs 1–6), Middle (7–15) and Death (16–20) — the death-overs acceleration is where the ground's character shows up most sharply.
Powerplay
33RPO · OVERS 1–6
Middle
168RPO · OVERS 7–15
Death
31RPO · OVERS 16–20
Who plays here
Match counts and win records for the teams with the deepest history at this ground.
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | NR | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington | 43 | 16 | 27 | 0 | 37% |
| New Zealand Cricket | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 50% |
| Canterbury | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 50% |
| Central Districts | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 89% |
| Northern Districts | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 67% |
| Otago | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 33% |
| Auckland | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 75% |
| Sri Lanka Cricket | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 17% |
Similar grounds
Batting-friendly · slight chase bias · 112 matches
Batting-friendly · 91 matches
High-scoring road · 88 matches
High-scoring road · chaser paradise · 79 matches
Bowler-friendly · chaser paradise · 80 matches