County Ground, Lakenham

County Ground, Lakenham

Entrance to the former County Ground, with the thatched pavilion beyond the gates
Ground information
Location	Norwich, Norfolk
Coordinates	52°36′58″N1°18′07″E / 52.616°N 1.302°E / 52.616; 1.302
Establishment	1827
Demolished	2015
Last used	2000
Team information
Norfolk County Cricket Club (1879–2000)
As of 10 April 2025 Source: CricketArchive

The County Ground at Lakenham in Norwich was a cricket ground for almost two hundred years, hosting both first-class and List A cricket. It was established in 1827 on land owned by Colman's, and was initially leased by the Norwich club. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Five first-class games, all involving touring international sides, were played on the ground between 1912 and 1986, ^[4] and 13 List A matches were staged between 1969 and 1998. ^[5] The County Ground's most regular users were Norfolk County Cricket Club, who played over 400 Minor Counties Championship games at the venue. ^[6] In the early 21st century the ground was redeveloped for a variety of other uses. ^[7]

Records

First-class

• Highest team total: 425/5 declared by West Indians v Minor Counties, 1950 ^[8]
• Lowest team total: 79 by England XI v Australians, 1912 ^[9]
• Highest individual innings: 117 by Gerry Gomez for West Indians v Minor Counties, 1950 ^[10]
• Best bowling in an innings: 7/33 by Sonny Ramadhin for West Indians v Minor Counties, 1950 ^[11]
• Best bowling in a match: 9/106 by Evan Gray for New Zealanders v Minor Counties, 1986 ^[12]

List A

• Highest team total: 309 by Worcestershire v Norfolk, 1994 ^[13]
• Lowest team total: 52 (26.5 overs) by Minor Counties v Lancashire, 1998 ^[14]
• Highest individual innings: 138 by Chris Adams for Derbyshire v Minor Counties, 1997 ^[15]
• Best bowling in an innings: 6/48 by Tracey Moore for Norfolk v Yorkshire, 1969 ^[16]

References

1. Blofeld H (2000) The final lament for Lakenham, The Independent , 11 August 2000. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
2. Lakenham's historic cricket ground pavilion demolished, BBC News website, 2015-03-10. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
3. Hounsome, p. 45.
4. "First-Class Matches played on County Ground, Lakenham". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
5. "List A Matches played on County Ground, Lakenham". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
6. "Minor Counties Championship Matches played on County Ground, Lakenham". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
7. "Row over £50m sport centre scheme". BBC News. 25 June 2005. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
8. "Minor Counties v West Indians in 1950". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
9. "County Ground, Lakenham - Lowest Team Totals in first-class cricket". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
10. "County Ground, Lakenham - Centuries in first-class cricket". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
11. "County Ground, Lakenham - Seven Wickets in an Innings in first-class cricket". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
12. "Minor Counties v New Zealanders in 1986". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
13. "County Ground, Lakenham - Highest Team Totals in one-day matches". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
14. "County Ground, Lakenham - Lowest Team Totals in one-day matches". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
15. "County Ground, Lakenham - Centuries in one-day matches". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
16. "County Ground, Lakenham - Five Wickets in an Innings in one-day matches". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-14.

Bibliography

• Hounsome K (2015) A Game Well Played: a history of cricket in Norfolk. Norwich: Hounsome. ISBN   978-0-9932296-0-2