Sydney Cricket Ground

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Team: Arizona Diamondbacks	NA Dates: March 22, 23, 2014
Capacity: 48,000

In 1811, the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, established the Sydney Common, on the south-eastern side of the city. This plot of land, consisting primarily of sand hills and swamp, was used as a garbage dump until 1850. In 1851, part of the common was granted to the British Army to use as a cricket ground. In 1854, the newly named Garrison Ground, became the main spot for sport in New South Wales (NSW), taking over from Hyde Park, which was now just a public garden. In 1870, the British troops left and in 1875 the NSW Government began to improve the ground. In 1882, the grounds had two grandstands, the Brewongle Stand and the Members' Stand. In 1886 the Members' Stand, now known as the Members' Pavillion was rebuilt, and is still used today. In 1894, the park was renamed the Sydney Cricket Ground (after being called the Civil and Military Ground and Association Ground) and a third grandstand was built, the Hill Stand. In 1896, a scoreboard and the Ladies' Stand were built. In 1978 light towers were installed. The old concrete scoreboard was replaced by an electronic one in 1983. Two of the grandstands were replaced by 1986, the Clive Churchill replaced the Sheridan Stand and the scoreboard was replaced with a HD board in 1999. In 2008 a new Victor Trumpet Stand was built to increase capacity to 46,000 along with replacing two light towers. In 2014, two other stands were rebuilt increasing capacity to 48,000. Stands now completely surround the field.

In 2014, Major League Baseball opened the season with two games between the Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers here. Home plate was placed in front of the Northern Stand. Temporary outfield fences were installed and the bullpens were beyond those fences. Seating was restricted in two other stands, the Victor Trumper and Clive Churchill to create a batter's eye.