Bristol County Ground

History

Initially known as Ashley Down Ground, it was bought in 1889 by W. G. Grace and has been home to Gloucestershire ever since. It was sold to local confectionery firm J. S. Fry & Sons and renamed Fry's Ground. The club bought the ground back in 1933 and it reverted to its original name. It was sold again in 1976, this time to Royal & Sun Alliance who renamed the ground the Phoenix County Ground for eight years before changing to The Royal & Sun Alliance County Ground until the ground was again bought by the club and took it up its current title.

The ground hosts One Day Internationals, usually one per year, with the addition of temporary seating to increase the ground's capacity. England faced India in 2018 and Pakistan in 2019 at the ground. In addition, three matches were scheduled to be played at the ground as part of the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Of these three, two were abandoned without a ball being bowled due to bad weather. The only match played was Australia v Afghanistan - a match Australia won by 7 wickets.

The ground has long boundaries in comparison to most county cricket clubs.

The former concrete roof over the public terraces, which has now been demolished, was formed from eight hyperbolic-paraboloid umbrellas each approximately 30 sqft, designed by T. H. B. Burrough in 1960.

Redevelopment

In July 2009, Gloucestershire C.C.C. announced plans to redevelop the ground into a 20,000-capacity stadium, with an aim to retaining one day international status. The ground now includes a world class media centre and conference facilities. To help fund the project, student accommodation is included in the development. In March 2010, Bristol City Council gave the go-ahead for the new ground.

The following year, the club revised its plans due to concerns from residents on the adjacent Kennington Avenue over permanent stands at the boundary of their property. The permanent capacity was raised to 7,500 (8,000 including the semi-permanent Hammond Roof) with temporary seating increasing capacity to 17,500, but with other changes still implemented: new pavilion, new conference facilities and the construction of new stands (including the demolition of the Jessop stand and Tavern and the rebuilding of the Mound stand to a fixed capacity of 4,500) and 147 apartments in three blocks. These plans were approved on 31 May 2012 and development began in October 2012. The Bristol Pavilion opened in August 2013. Permanent floodlights were approved by Bristol City Council in April 2015, which were installed ready for the start of the 2016 season and which allowed the club to continue to host international matches as well as the four 2019 Cricket World Cup matches it was allocated.

Transport connections

Ashley Down railway station opened on 28th September 2024 and is 0.3 miles from the stadium. Montpelier on the Severn Beach line is under 1 mi from the ground. Mainline stations Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway are 2.5 mi and 3.8 mi, respectively, from the ground.

International centuries

One-Day International centuries

The following table summarises the One-Day International centuries scored at Bristol County Ground.

T20 International centuries

There has only been one T20 International century at this venue.

Women's One-Day International centuries

The following table summarises the women's One-Day International centuries scored at Bristol County Ground

References

References

1. "The many shapes of England's cricket stadiums". BBC Sport.
2. (8 March 2022). "Gloucestershire’s Bristol home renamed as Seat Unique Stadium after signing historic Ground Naming Rights deal". [[Gloucestershire County Cricket Club]].
3. (14 June 2019). "ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 schedule announced". [[International Cricket Council.
4. Burrough, THB. (1970). "Bristol". Studio Vista.
5. (28 July 2009). "Cricket ground's future unveiled". BBC News.
6. "Club Statement to Members". Gloucestershire Cricket.
7. (10 March 2010). "Go-ahead to expand cricket club". BBC News.
8. (2 February 2011). "Gloucestershire County Cricket Club alters ground plans". BBC West.
9. (27 August 2013). "Grounds for Celebration". [[Venue (magazine).
10. (29 April 2015). "Floodlight planning application approved". Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.
11. (7 March 2023). "New Ashley Down railway station construction gets under way". [[BBC News]].
12. "County Ground, Bristol / Records / One-Day Internationals / High scores".
13. "High scores in T20I at Bristol".
14. "Batting records {{!}} Women's One-Day Internationals {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.