London · England · 2003–2025
The Oval, London: Pitch Conditions, Records and Match Stats
At a glance
Matches
199
All formats
Par score
204
1st-innings average
Chase success
56%
Chaser edge
Bat-first win
41%
Long-sample record
Pitch & conditions
The patterns we see repeat across the matches on record — what works at The Oval, and what captains should plan for.
Across 198 matches, captains have opted to field after winning the toss in 66% of cases. The 19-run gap between first-innings (204) and second-innings (186) averages suggests the pitch does tend to offer more in its second half, though conditions vary considerably by format and season.
Teams batting second have won 55% of completed matches at The Oval. That edge is modest rather than commanding, so batting first remains a viable choice, particularly when sides have the depth to post 200-plus.
The average powerplay produces 40 runs and just 1.19 wickets, meaning the new-ball period is relatively contained. The middle-overs phase averages 130 runs, comfortably the largest slice of any innings, which is where matches at this ground tend to be shaped.
The average death-overs contribution is only 29 runs, well below what you might expect at a major urban venue. Bowling sides that preserve wickets through the powerplay may find they can contain strongly in the closing overs here.
SK Warne's 12/246 across 76.2 overs in the 2005 Ashes Test is the most productive single-match bowling performance on record at this ground. It set the stage for one of the most closely contested Ashes series of the modern era.
By the numbers
Career aggregates from the matches LuckySpire tracks at The Oval. Drawn from Cricsheet ball-by-ball data under ODC-BY licence.
Avg 1st inn
204
T20-era par
Avg 2nd inn
186
Chasing average
Chase success
56%
All formats
Highest total
664
On record
Lowest total
53
Complete innings
Phase-by-phase · scoring trajectory
Cumulative scoring trajectory across a typical white-ball innings at The Oval. 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
43RPO · OVERS 1–6
Middle
120RPO · OVERS 7–15
Death
42RPO · 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 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 85 | 52 | 29 | 2 | 61% |
| England Cricket | 64 | 36 | 23 | 5 | 56% |
| Oval Invincibles | 20 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 80% |
| Australia Cricket | 18 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 39% |
| India Cricket | 16 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 44% |
| South Africa Cricket | 16 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 25% |
| West Indies Cricket | 16 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 44% |
| Kent | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 43% |
Similar grounds
Batting-friendly · 198 matches
Batting-friendly · 164 matches
High-scoring road · defending advantage · 162 matches
Batting-friendly · slight chase bias · 196 matches
High-scoring road · 190 matches