It’s one thing going on a cricket tour of say, Australia, and playing in front of huge crowds at famous stadiums in perfect conditions. But when less desirable itineraries arise, certain players seem to pick up a mysterious injury that only a few weeks on the sofa can cure.
But seriously, cricketers and supporters are fortunate in that most of the countries which play the sport are generally excellent places to visit both on and off the field. That said, some destinations are more attractive than others.
Using criteria including venues, quality of pitch and weather conditions among others, we’ve ranked, in descending order, every Test-playing nation in terms of their touring desirability from the point of view of an international cricket player.
10. Zimbabwe
One positive aspect of touring Zimbabwe is the opportunity of getting to know the Harare Sports Club extremely well…just ask Pakistan. Every one of the seven matches on their 2013 tour to the African nation was contested there.
But sadly, Zimbabwe isn’t going to be high on many cricketers’ bucket list primarily because of its unsettled political scene but also because the standard of opposition is poor. However, if you’re looking to top up your batting average then fill your boots.
Main venues: Harare Sports Club (Harare), Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo)
Pitches: The wickets are often similar to their neighbours, South Africa, in terms of style and provide a decent all-round surface. There have only been four drawn Tests here in the 21st century, but that could be related to the standard of the hosts.
Weather: Regular sun but never too extreme which will please cricketers and redheads alike
Crowds: Limited-overs cricket is more popular than the red-ball stuff but even visits by the major sides can be sparsely attended.
Extras: Zimbabwe acts as a gateway to the Victoria Falls National Park and also offers safari options.
9. Pakistan
Pakistan unfortunately comes in towards the bottom of this list also, primarily due to currently playing their “home” matches in the United Arab Emirates after the 2009 Lahore attacks.
So instead of being cheered on by a large passionate crowd at Rawalpindi or Karachi, they turn out at the large concrete bowls of Dubai and Abu Dhabi and the lack of atmosphere doesn’t make for a great spectacle.
Venues: Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai), Sheikh Zayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi), Sharjah Cricket Stadium (Sharjah)
Pitches: The batsmen queue is up to play on the UAE’s pristine batting tracks although they normally begin to turn sharply on days four and five.
Weather: Hot, hot, heat. We are talking factor-30 sun cream and maybe even a parasol. Although when England is in town, the majority of the beer-hardened “Barmy Army” no doubt believe they are impervious to the sun’s power.
Crowds: Nearly half the population of the Gulf States come from the subcontinent so there is a significant support base for Pakistan here. But in these huge modern stadiums, a few thousand fans struggle to make an impact.
Extras: The beach, an indoor ski slope and the world’s tallest building are just some of the many attractions available for visitors and locals alike in Dubai.
8. Bangladesh
The forthcoming T20 World Cup is a great opportunity for Bangladesh to show what they can do with a major event, but the country remains one of the less desirable destinations on the cricket circuit.
Until recently, like Zimbabwe, many of the top players seemed to swerve this tour, but with the Tigers growing more competitive, opposition sides are gradually showing them more respect.
Venues: Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium (Fatullah), Shere Bangla National Stadium (Dhaka), Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (Chittagong)
Pitches: In the kingdom of the red-hot sun, the slow right-armer is king. Yes, spin tends to play a big part in first-class cricket here, but the blossoming Bangladesh Premier League has produced some pancake-flat decks too.
Weather: Classic subcontinent fare; generally hot but rapid tropical downpours can occur
Crowds: A hugely enthusiastic crowd (see photo above) normally supports Bangladesh when they play at home. Expect hooters, flags, face paint and even cuddly toy tigers. Don’t expect beer, snakes and brawls.
Extras: Despite not being on many traveller’s itineraries, Bangladesh offers plenty of culture, especially outside of the major cities.
7. Sri Lanka
Since Sri Lanka’s arrival on the world scene, they have climbed the ranks from being a “second-tier” cricketing nation to becoming one of the best. And a successful tour of the country is a great addition to a player’s resume.
One downside is that the crippling heat often slows down the game and sucks the life out of the wicket, leading to painstaking attritional periods of play. But there are only so many times when can you play in the shadow of a huge fort too.
Venues: R Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Pallekele Stadium (Kandy), Galle International Stadium (Galle)
Pitches: When the spinners aren’t in the game, Sri Lanka tends to be a batsmen’s paradise, particularly in Colombo where three of the top 20 highest team scores of all time have been made. But the wickets soon dry out and turn into what’s known locally as “a Murali.”
Weather: A volatile tropical climate means baking hot conditions can give way to short severe torrential downpours in the blink of an eye. Two separate monsoon seasons also keep visitors on their toes.
Crowds: Enthusiastic and passionate crowds, especially in the shorter formats, make for a great atmosphere.
Extras: Beaches, wildlife, beautiful scenery and tea abound. What more do you want?
6. West Indies
There is just something about playing and watching cricket in the Caribbean that appeals to fans, media and players alike. It’s called the sun.
But the iconic images of hardened-brown pitches, dilapidated stands (to be honest, a lot of these have been replaced) and wild rum-fuelled entertainers running riot are a rich part of cricket’s fabric.
Pitches: If you can survive the new-ball onslaught, the hard decks normally provide great batting tracks. Spin can come into play on the last few days if the wicket starts to crumble.
Weather: There’s no need to pack your thermals here.
Crowds: A good-natured and relaxed mix of locals and tourists alike often combine to create a party-like atmosphere.
Extras: You are never too far from the beach in this part of the world. Be careful on those pedalos particularly late at night after a few cocktails (just ask Freddy).
5. New Zealand
While lacking the size and bravado of Australia and the sheer depth of cricketing history in England, New Zealand fits somewhere between the two and provides a lovely place to play (and watch) cricket.
And with the current Black Caps side on the up, tours of New Zealand, which for many years were considered “gimmes,” are no longer a stroll in the park as India found to their cost recently.
Main venues: Basin Reserve (Wellington), AMI Stadium (Christchurch), Eden Park (Auckland), Seddon Park (Hamilton) and University Oval (Dunedin)
Pitches: Conditions in New Zealand are very similar to England with wickets offering rewards for patient batsmen but plenty of movement for the seamers, too, especially when the ball is new.
Weather: Again, it’s not a million miles away from a UK-type climate, with pleasant summers that aren’t overly hot. Although the wind and rain are never too far away either.
Crowds: Decent-sized and good-natured crowds generally although not quite as rowdy as their neighbours across the Tasman
Extras: Apart from the hindrance of being on the opposite side of the globe to the UK, New Zealand is a spectacular country. They even filmed Lord of the Rings there, as I’m sure the Kiwis don’t get bored of being reminded about it.
4. India
Playing in India has long been regarded as a rite of passage for most cricketers and, despite the Indian Premier League opening doors for many overseas players, it remains a challenging environment today.
Main Venues: Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Feroz Shah Kotla (Delhi), M Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bangalore), Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium (Hyderabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai)
Pitches: Many of the wickets used in Test cricket tend to start low and slow before drying out and making India’s phalanx of twirlers salivate in anticipation. However, the T20 tracks tend to be a bowler’s graveyard.
Weather: Hot and humid energy-sapping conditions with the obligatory short torrential downpour never too far away
Crowds: The noise of a passionate Indian crowd, once experienced, won’t be forgotten. And let’s not get started by the IPL bugle sound that sends local spectators into a frenzy…every 10 seconds.
Extras: With the Himalayas in the north, beaches in the south and even wild tigers in the middle, there is plenty to do in this huge country.
3. England
Most cricketers dream of playing at Lord’s at some stage of their career and a tour of England, the country that invented the sport of cricket, ticks that box and more.
Despite the relentless schedule, the domination of football and even the global recession, cricket, at least at the international level continues to flourish in the UK.
The wickets and weather usually keep the games interesting too, often giving the home nation an advantage with the visitors, particularly the subcontinent sides, struggling with the conditions.
Venues: Various grounds these days but the main players are Lord’s and The Oval (London), Trent Bridge (Nottingham), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Headingley (Leeds) and Old Trafford (Manchester)
Pitches: Often seamer-friendly and offering prodigious movement, particularly in the season; but the modern-day tendency has been for pitches to slow down after the first hour of play.
Weather: Four seasons in one day is quite possible but expect the early part of “summer” to be grim, damp and grey before the sun comes out for a few precious weeks in July and August.
Crowds: The majority of matches will be played out in front of large crowds, half of which seem to be drunk and dressed as “Bananaman” or one of his superhero pals.
Extras: Sure, there are plenty of old historic sights to visit and top-level football to take in, but you haven’t experienced the UK until you’ve sampled a Saturday night in a provincial town centre.
2. South Africa
Anyone who watched the recent Test series between South Africa and Australia was fortunate to witness a fine cricketing spectacle contested on beautiful grounds in resplendent sunshine (OK, ignore the recently washed-out T20).
The opportunity to grace the picturesque Newlands ground with its Table Mountain backdrop would get even the most cynical cricketer excited. Throw in the cracking wickets and the “Rainbow Nation” is a fine place to play.
Venues: Newlands (Cape Town), St George’s Park (Port Elizabeth), Wanderers (Johannesburg), SuperSport Park (Centurion), Kingsmead, (Durban)
Pitches: There is normally something for batsmen, pace bowlers and spinners in South Africa’s tracks which tend to produce great cricket and keep all three results alive.
Weather: Nice and warm in cricket season although occasional thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon in parts
Extras: Plenty of activities when the cricket is taking a breather; game reserves, wine regions or if you fancy taking it easy, maybe try cage-diving with great white sharks.
1. Australia
While a few of their stadiums have lost a bit of their magic in the race to get bigger, Australia remains arguably the very best place to play cricket…although England’s players might think differently at this moment in time.
You might need a thick skin to handle the crowd, but more often than not, a tour Down Under offers the best pitches, the best practice facilities, perfect weather and, of course, intense demanding cricket—just how it should be.
Main Venues: SCG (Sydney), MCG (Melbourne), WACA (Perth), Gabba (Brisbane) Adelaide Oval (Adelaide).
Pitches: High-quality wickets with some regional variations keeping it interesting; you bat first at the Gabba (Nasser?), Adelaide tends to take spin and Perth, although losing some of its paces, is still a pretty sharp track.
Weather: Gets more tropical the further north you travel but almost perfect conditions for the most part
Crowds: Big crowds normally, especially if England are the opposition, although Test Match figures have dwindled lately; watch out later in the afternoon when multiple pints of VB start to kick in.
Extras: Why waste time at the beach when you can go to “Ramsey Street” in Melbourne or Palm Beach in Sydney where the gripping Aussie soap opera Home and Away is filmed.
