Warner Park Cricket Stadium

Warner Park Cricket Stadium: Pitch Report, Records & Complete Guide

Warner Park Cricket Stadium in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, is one of the Caribbean’s most versatile and beloved sporting facilities. Part of the larger Warner Park Sporting Complex — the only multi-sport complex of its kind in the Eastern Caribbean — the cricket stadium opened in 2006 and quickly established itself on the international stage, hosting the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup within just a year of its inauguration.

Named after Sir Thomas Warner, the English explorer who established the first English colony on Saint Kitts in 1623, the ground carries both historical weight and modern ambition. It serves as the home of the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League — the 2021 CPL and 2022 6ixty champions — and has hosted Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and World Cup fixtures, making it one of the most complete cricket venues in the West Indies.

Warner Park Cricket Stadium is an 8,000-capacity international cricket venue in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. Opened in 2006 and named after English explorer Sir Thomas Warner, it has hosted the 2007 ICC World Cup, the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, Test matches, and CPL fixtures. The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots play their home CPL matches here.

Stadium Overview

FeatureDetail
Official NameWarner Park Cricket Stadium
Complex NameWarner Park Sporting Complex
LocationBasseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Established2006
Named AfterSir Thomas Warner (English explorer, founder of St Kitts colony)
Permanent Capacity8,000
Expanded CapacityUp to 10,000 (temporary stands)
Home TenantsSt Kitts and Nevis Patriots (CPL), Leeward Islands cricket team
Bowling EndsPavilion End, Lozack Road End
Boundary Length60–69 metres (shortest to longest)
FloodlightsYes (day-night matches supported)
Multi-SportYes — cricket, football, tennis, netball, volleyball
AcademyLen Harris Cricket Academy (northern section of complex)
Carnival CityNorthern section hosts cultural events
Total Project CostUSD $12 million (cricket + football combined)
Taiwan ContributionUSD $2.74 million donation toward total cost
Coordinates17°17′55″N, 62°43′19″W
TimezoneUTC -04:00

Key Milestones

  • 2006: Ground established and opened; first international — West Indies vs India ODI (May 23, 2006).
  • 2006: First Test — West Indies vs India (June 21–25, 2006).
  • 2007: Hosts multiple matches at the ICC Cricket World Cup.
  • 2009: First T20I — West Indies vs Bangladesh (August 2, 2009).
  • 2011: Last Test — West Indies vs Pakistan (May 20, 2011).
  • 2015: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots join the CPL; Warner Park becomes their home ground.
  • 2018: Last ODI — West Indies vs Bangladesh (July 28, 2018).
  • 2021: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots win the CPL title for the first time.
  • 2022: Patriots win inaugural CPL 6ixty tournament.
  • 2022: Last T20I — West Indies vs India (August 1, 2022).
  • 2025: Hosts Australia T20I series (3 matches, July 25–28); Australia win all three in Basseterre.
  • 2026: Australia Women vs West Indies Women ODI (March 27, 2026); CPL 2026 home matches for Patriots.

Location & Capacity

Warner Park Sporting Complex is located in Basseterre, the capital city of Saint Kitts and Nevis, in the heart of the Eastern Caribbean. Unlike most Caribbean cricket venues, which sit on the coastlines or in suburbs, Warner Park is an urban facility — directly accessible from the capital’s main roads and highly convenient for residents and tourists alike.

Getting There:

  • From Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport: Approximately 10–15 minutes by taxi — one of the most airport-accessible cricket grounds in the Caribbean.
  • From Basseterre city centre: 5 minutes by taxi or on foot from the ferry terminal and cruise ship pier.
  • From Frigate Bay resort area: 10–15 minutes by taxi along the main road.
  • By public transport: Buses and shared taxis (locally known as “dollar vans”) run regularly along the Basseterre routes.

Capacity Breakdown:

  • Cricket stadium (eastern section): Permanent seating for 8,000, expandable to 10,000 with temporary stands.
  • Football stadium (western section): 3,500 seats.
  • Northern complex: Three tennis courts, three netball/volleyball courts, Len Harris Cricket Academy, and Carnival City.

Unique Insight Competitors Miss: Warner Park is the only major Caribbean international cricket venue located directly in a capital city, within walking distance of a working cruise ship pier. During ICC events and CPL matches, cruise passengers have historically been a significant portion of match-day crowds — a dynamic found at no other venue in the region.

Pitch Report

The Warner Park pitch is a fascinating study in duality — capable of producing high-scoring ODI affairs and yet simultaneously offering meaningful assistance to both pace and spin in T20 cricket.

Pitch Characteristics by Format

AttributeT20ODITest
Surface TypeDry, slow, grippyHard with good carryHard, deteriorates from Day 3
Pace for Fast BowlersModerate; cutters effectiveEarly movement availableGood for first two days
Spin AssistanceHigh from Overs 7+Grows from middle oversStrong from Day 4 onward
Dew FactorModerate (evening games)Low–ModerateN/A
Typical OutcomeBowler-friendly early, balanced laterBatting-first advantage historicallyVariable; no recent Tests

T20 Pitch Phase Breakdown

Powerplay (Overs 1–6):
The pitch tends to be slower than many Caribbean surfaces, meaning the ball doesn’t come onto the bat as quickly. Batters who play early and drive hard can miscue against seam bowling. Good length balls are dangerous. A typical good powerplay at Warner Park is 45–55 runs.

Middle Overs (Overs 7–15):
This is where Warner Park’s bowling-friendly reputation is built. The surface grips significantly. Right-arm off-spin, leg-spin, and left-arm orthodox all find a sharp turn here. Kesrick Williams’ 12 T20I wickets at this venue illustrate how seam variation — wobble-seam, slower balls — also pays dividends. Batters who can reverse-sweep and use their feet against spin are premium picks here.

Death Overs (Overs 16–20):
The shorter boundary dimensions (60–69m) make the death overs genuinely explosive. Power hitters who can get the ball in the air find short mid-wicket and cow corner very catchable zones — but errors in length are ruthlessly punished. Expect 18–24 runs in the last two overs when both sides are at full strength.

Average Scores at a Glance

FormatAvg 1st Innings ScoreChasing Win %Toss Recommendation
T20I~150–155 (all-time)~55%Field first
CPL T20~166~54%Field first (day-night)
Men’s ODI~245–250~38% (batting first wins 62%)Bat first
TestVariable (small sample)Bat first

Critical Insight: Warner Park is one of the very few Caribbean venues where ODI cricket heavily favours the team batting first (batting-first win rate ~62%), while T20 cricket slightly favours chasers (~54%). The format completely flips the strategic approach — a distinction competitors consistently fail to highlight.

Weather Report

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, sits at the northwestern end of the island, with a tropical savanna climate influenced by both Atlantic trade winds and the volcanic Nevis Peak nearby.

SeasonMonthsTemperatureHumidityWindRain Risk
Dry SeasonDecember – April23–29°C65–75%20–30 km/h NELow (5–10%)
TransitionalMay25–30°C72–80%VariableModerate
Wet SeasonJune – November25–31°C78–88%15–26 km/h25–55%

Key Weather Notes for Cricket:

  • Trade winds are constant and notably stronger at Warner Park than at inland Caribbean venues. Wind speeds of 20–30 km/h are the norm, affecting ball trajectory — particularly for spinners bowling from the Lozack Road End into the trade wind. Swing bowling into the wind can generate extra movement for right-arm seamers.
  • CPL season (August–September) coincides with the wet season. Afternoon showers are common but brief; the majority of evening CPL fixtures proceed without interruption.
  • Dew is moderate compared to inland venues — the trade winds dry the outfield faster, making dew less of a factor here than at, say, the Brian Lara Academy in Trinidad.
  • Hurricane risk: Saint Kitts falls in the Atlantic hurricane belt. The season peaks in September–October, which overlaps with the CPL end stages. Historically, Warner Park matches have been unaffected, but this is a background risk for late-season fixtures.
  • Temperature during the Australia T20I series (July 2025): Conditions were warm (27–30°C), partly cloudy, with low humidity — optimal cricket weather.

You may like: Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium: Pitch Report, Records

T20 Records

T20I Records (International)

RecordDetail
First T20IWest Indies vs Bangladesh, August 2, 2009
Last T20IWest Indies vs India, August 1, 2022
Total T20Is Hosted10+ (as of 2025)
West Indies T20I Record Here6 wins, 2 losses (historically dominant at home)
Highest Team Total (T20I)Available via ESPNcricinfo records
Lowest Team Total (T20I)45 — West Indies vs ? (lowest on record)
Most T20I Wickets12 — Kesrick Williams
Other Leading T20I Wicket-TakersDavid Willey (6), Carlos Brathwaite (5), Chris Jordan (4), Adil Rashid (4)

CPL T20 Records at Warner Park

RecordDetail
T20 Matches Played (All formats)80+
Teams Batting First — Wins36
Teams Batting Second — Wins43
Matches Tied1
Average 1st Innings Score (CPL)166
Most Recent CPL MatchSKN vs Barbados Royals, CPL 2025 Match 8, Aug 21, 2025 (SKN won: 174/8 vs 162/10)

T20 Wicket-Takers Leaderboard

RankPlayerT20I WicketsContext
1Kesrick Williams12WI pacer, home-ground advantage
2David Willey6England left-arm seam
3Carlos Brathwaite5WI all-rounder
4Chris Jordan4England pace
4Adil Rashid4England leg-spin

Unique T20 Insight: West Indies’ T20I win rate at Warner Park has been exceptional historically — winning the majority of matches played at their home ground. However, the 2025 Australia series (all three Basseterre T20Is won by Australia) broke that dominance, with all five games in the WI vs AUS series — including the three at Warner Park — going Australia’s way. This represents a significant shift in the venue’s recent competitive history.

ODI Records

Warner Park has hosted 21 men’s ODI matches (plus additional women’s ODIs, totalling 36 across both), making it a well-established ODI venue.

RecordDetail
First ODIWest Indies vs India, May 23, 2006
Last ODIWest Indies vs Bangladesh, July 28, 2018
Total Men’s ODIs14 (men’s only data)
Teams Batting First — Wins13
Teams Batting Second — Wins8
Highest Team Total (ODI)343
Lowest Team Total (ODI)129 — Netherlands
Average 1st Innings Score~245–250
Average Match Run Rate93.2 (SR)
Total Boundaries (14 matches)810 (605 fours, 205 sixes)
ICC World Cup Hosted2007 Cricket World Cup (multiple group matches)

ODI Format Insight: Warner Park is genuinely a batting-first ground in ODI cricket. With 13 of 21 matches won by the team batting first (~62%), this is one of the strongest batting-first records of any Caribbean ODI venue. The pitch stays consistent throughout the 50-over format, allowing the side that sets the target to put pressure on the chasing team as the surface dries and grip increases.

2007 World Cup: Warner Park hosted several high-profile 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup matches, including Australia vs the Netherlands and other group-stage fixtures. These matches cemented Warner Park’s status as a World Cup-calibre venue within just a year of its opening.

Test Records

Warner Park has hosted 2 men’s Test matches — a limited but historically significant sample.

RecordDetail
First TestWest Indies vs India, June 21–25, 2006
Last TestWest Indies vs Pakistan, May 20–24, 2011
Total Tests Hosted2
Highest Team Total (Test)India — high first-innings total (2006)
Lowest Team Total (Test)223 — West Indies
Overall Test RecordSmall sample; pace bowlers aided in opening sessions

Test Match Context: With only two Tests on record, Warner Park’s Test cricket data is limited. However, both matches demonstrated the ground’s capacity for competitive Test cricket — with pace bowling effective in the morning sessions and the pitch deteriorating meaningfully by Day 3–4. There are currently no confirmed Test matches scheduled at Warner Park in the near future, as the venue’s primary role in international cricket has shifted to white-ball formats and CPL hosting.

Highest & Lowest Team Scores (Across All Formats)

FormatHighestTeamLowestTeam
TestHigh total (India, 2006)India223West Indies
Men’s ODI343129Netherlands
T20IHigh total (WI, historical)West Indies45West Indies
CPL T20200+ (multiple occasions)Various~90sVarious

Unique Stat: Netherlands’ 129 in an ODI at Warner Park during the 2007 World Cup is the lowest team total by a non-minnow nation at this venue, reflecting how the pitch and conditions can be especially challenging for teams unfamiliar with Caribbean conditions — even in the 50-over format.

Most Runs & Most Wickets

Most T20I Runs at Warner Park

Several West Indian and international batters have built strong records at Warner Park in T20I cricket. The ground’s shorter boundaries (60–69m) and flat pitch in the powerplay make it attractive for aggressive openers and middle-order hitters. West Indian batters have historically dominated at this venue, aided by familiarity with the conditions and the passionate home support.

Most T20I Wickets at Warner Park

Kesrick Williams leads all T20I wicket-takers at Warner Park with 12 wickets — an outstanding return for a pacer at what is generally a batter-friendly surface. His yorker variations and slower balls have made him the most effective T20I bowler at this venue in its history. The presence of both pace and spin in the Top 5 wicket-takers (Williams, Willey, Brathwaite, Jordan, Rashid) underlines how the Warner Park pitch offers genuine multi-dimensional bowling opportunities.

Most ODI Runs at Warner Park

ODI cricket at Warner Park has seen several high individual scores, with the 2007 World Cup contributing significantly to the batting records. The ground’s ODI average of 245–250 in the first innings signals that quality batters who play positively from ball one are rewarded here.

CPL Legacy at Warner Park

Warner Park has been central to the Caribbean Premier League since the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots were founded in 2015. The ground hosts all Patriots’ home CPL fixtures and has been a reliable, atmospheric venue for the league.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots CPL Record

SeasonPatriots’ CPL ResultHome Form
2015–2018Group-stage exitsBuilding years
2019ImprovedCompetitive
2020Semi-finalistsStrong
2021CPL ChampionsDominant at home
20226ixty ChampionsWon inaugural 6ixty
2023–2024CompetitiveConsistent
2025Active (beat Barbados Royals, Aug 21)Won Match 8 at home (174/8 vs 162)
2026Home matches scheduledTBC

CPL Unique Insight: Warner Park is the only CPL venue to have its home franchise (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots) win both a CPL title (2021) AND the inaugural CPL 6ixty (2022) — making it arguably the most successful CPL home venue in terms of championship outcomes relative to its franchise’s age.

Recent Matches

DateMatchFormatResult
August 21, 2025SKN Patriots vs Barbados Royals (CPL 2025, Match 8)T20SKN won (174/8 vs 162/10)
July 28, 2025West Indies vs Australia (5th T20I)T20IAustralia won
July 26, 2025West Indies vs Australia (4th T20I)T20IAustralia won
July 25, 2025West Indies vs Australia (3rd T20I)T20IAustralia won
August 1, 2022West Indies vs India (T20I)T20I
March 27, 2026Australia Women vs West Indies Women (1st ODI)Women’s ODI

Key Trend 2025: Australia won all three T20Is played at Warner Park in July 2025, completing a 5–0 series sweep. Shai Hope led West Indies’ batting (185 series runs), but Australia’s pace attack — led by Mitchell Starc — and Cameron Green’s all-round display proved decisive. This was a landmark humbling on a ground West Indies had historically dominated.

Upcoming Matches

DateMatchFormat
March 27, 2026Australia Women vs West Indies Women (1st ODI)Women’s ODI
August–September 2026CPL 2026St Kitts and Nevis Patriots home matchesT20
TBC 2026West Indies international home fixturesT20I / ODI

Expert Tips for Fantasy Cricket

  1. Trust pace variation over raw speed. Kesrick Williams’ 12 T20I wickets at this ground tell you that cutters, slower balls, and yorkers work better at Warner Park than express pace. In fantasy cricket, target bowlers who vary pace intelligently over those who simply bowl fast.
  2. ODI cricket: always back the batting-first team. With a ~62% batting-first win rate in ODIs, Warner Park is one of the Caribbean’s most batting-first-friendly grounds in the 50-over format. This is a genuine edge for the captain and differential picks.
  3. T20 cricket: field-first is marginally better. In T20 cricket (CPL + T20Is), the chasing team wins ~54–57% of matches. It is not as dramatic as some other venues — toss matters, but it is not decisive. Check dew reports for evening matches.
  4. Wind direction at the Lozack Road End is a bowler’s friend. Trade wind comes predominantly from the northeast. Bowlers operating into the wind from the Lozack Road End get additional swing movement. Target fantasy bowlers who typically operate from this end — especially left-arm seamers who use the cross-wind for natural swing.
  5. Middle-over spinners are gold. The pitch grips significantly from the 7th over. Adil Rashid (4 T20I wickets here) and other leg-spinners/off-spinners have succeeded consistently. Any wrist-spinner in your T20 fantasy team at Warner Park is a high-upside pick.
  6. Proximity to the cruise pier matters. Match-day atmosphere is exceptional — the partisan St Kitts crowd delivers genuine home-ground advantage, and West Indies batters have historically performed above their away averages here. However, as Australia showed in 2025, visiting teams with superior skills can overcome the atmosphere.

Common Mistakes Fantasy Players & Analysts Make

  • Confusing T20 and ODI dynamics. Warner Park is a moderate chasing ground in T20 cricket but a strong batting-first ground in ODIs. Many fantasy players apply one pattern to both formats — a costly error.
  • Underestimating trade wind impact. Several analysts treat all Caribbean grounds as climatically similar. The constant 20–30 km/h trade wind at Basseterre subtly but meaningfully affects bowler choice and ball movement.
  • Over-trusting West Indies home dominance after 2025. Australia’s 3–0 sweep at Basseterre in July 2025 shows that WI’s T20I home record here is no longer a safe assumption. Adjust historical win-rate data accordingly.
  • Ignoring the Len Harris Cricket Academy context. The academy in the northern complex means Warner Park has excellent practice pitches — visiting teams that use the facility well typically arrive better prepared than those who don’t.
  • Dismissing the women’s ODI format data. With Women’s ODIs now a consistent fixture at Warner Park (most recently the Australia Women vs WI Women series in March 2026), historical women’s format data is increasingly important for relevant fantasy competitions.

Comparison: Warner Park vs Other Caribbean Venues

FeatureWarner Park (St Kitts)Daren Sammy (St Lucia)Brian Lara Academy (Trinidad)Kensington Oval (Barbados)Providence (Guyana)
Capacity8,000–10,00015,000–20,00015,00028,00020,000
T20 Avg 1st Innings~155–166~162~150–165~165–175~145–160
ODI Batting-First Win %~62%~41%Very limited data~50%~45%
Spin AssistanceHigh (mid-overs)High (mid-overs)High (mid-overs)ModerateModerate–High
Trade Wind EffectStrong (NE trades)Atlantic sea breezeMinimal (inland)SE trade windsMinimal (inland)
Dew FactorModerateHighHighLowHigh
Test Cricket2 Tests (2006, 2011)10 TestsDebut 2026Historic venueYes
CPL Home TeamSK&N PatriotsSt Lucia KingsTrinbago Knight RidersN/AGuyana Amazon Warriors
CPL Championships1 (2021)1 (2024)0 (host 2017–2020 finals)N/AN/A
ICC Events2007 WC, 2010 WT202007 WC, 2010 WT20, 2024 T20 WC2024 T20 WCMultiple2024 T20 WC
Location TypeUrban capital cityCoastal resort areaSuburban/inlandCoastal cityInland capital
Airport Distance~10 min~15–20 min (N airport)~30–35 min~25–30 min~30 min

FAQs

Where is Warner Park Cricket Stadium located?

Warner Park Cricket Stadium is located in Basseterre, the capital city of Saint Kitts and Nevis, in the Eastern Caribbean. It sits within the Warner Park Sporting Complex, approximately 10–15 minutes from Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport and within walking distance of the city’s cruise ship pier.

What is the seating capacity of Warner Park Cricket Stadium?

Warner Park Cricket Stadium has a permanent seating capacity of 8,000 spectators, which can be expanded to 10,000 with temporary stands for larger events such as ICC tournaments and high-demand CPL fixtures.

Why is it called Warner Park?

The ground is named after Sir Thomas Warner, the English explorer who established the first English colony on Saint Kitts in 1623. Sir Thomas Warner is a historically significant figure in Caribbean history; his legacy is honoured through the naming of the entire multi-sport complex, of which the cricket stadium is the centrepiece.

What is the pitch report for Warner Park Cricket Stadium?

Warner Park’s pitch is a slow, dry surface that offers moderate pace in the early overs and increasing spin assistance from the 7th over onward in T20 cricket. In ODIs, the pitch plays harder and more consistently, favouring teams that bat first (~62% win rate). The average T20 first-innings score (CPL) is around 166. Trade winds create a consistent crosswind that affects bowler selection and swing.

What is the highest team total at Warner Park?

In ODI cricket, the highest team total recorded at Warner Park is 343, with the 2007 World Cup contributing several high-scoring games. In T20 cricket, scores above 200 have been recorded multiple times in CPL fixtures. The lowest T20I total at the venue is 45 by the West Indies.

Who has taken the most wickets at Warner Park?

Kesrick Williams leads all T20I wicket-takers at Warner Park with 12 wickets, using intelligent pace variation — slower balls, cutters, and yorkers — to overcome the venue’s generally flat surface. In ODIs, right-arm seamers and spinners alike have featured prominently in the leading wicket-takers list.

Has Warner Park hosted ICC World Cup matches?

Yes. Warner Park hosted multiple 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup group-stage matches, including Australia vs the Netherlands and other fixtures, within just one year of the ground’s 2006 opening. It also hosted the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, including the first T20I at the venue.

What CPL team plays at Warner Park?

The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots are the home CPL franchise at Warner Park. The Patriots won the CPL 2021 title and the inaugural CPL 6ixty (2022), making them the most decorated franchise in their short history. Their most recent CPL home victory was against Barbados Royals on August 21, 2025 (174/8 vs 162/10).

Should teams bat first or chase at Warner Park?

It depends heavily on the format. In ODI cricket, batting first is strongly recommended (~62% win rate). In T20 cricket, chasing is marginally preferred (~54–57% win rate), especially in evening matches with any dew present. The toss decision is more consequential in T20 night games due to wind and dew considerations.

What was Australia’s result at Warner Park in July 2025?

Australia won all three T20I matches played at Warner Park in July 2025 (3rd, 4th, and 5th T20Is of their West Indies tour), completing a historic 5–0 T20I series sweep. Cameron Green was the Player of the Series, while Shai Hope top-scored for West Indies (185 runs across the series). This was the first time the West Indies lost all three T20Is at their Basseterre home ground in a single series.

Why Warner Park Cricket Stadium Stands Out

Warner Park Cricket Stadium in Basseterre is a ground that punches well above its weight. At just 8,000–10,000 capacity — the smallest of the major Caribbean international venues — it has hosted a World Cup, a World Twenty20, Tests, ODIs, T20Is, CPL finals, and women’s internationals, all while maintaining its dual identity as both a sporting venue and a living piece of Saint Kitts’ national heritage.

Its multi-sport complex design — unique in the Eastern Caribbean — reflects the ambitions of a small island nation that refuses to let geography limit its sporting aspirations. The Len Harris Cricket Academy in the same complex ensures the venue feeds local talent into the regional pipeline, giving Warner Park a developmental purpose beyond match hosting.

For fantasy cricket players, the ground’s clear format-based patterns — ODIs favouring batting first, T20S marginally favouring chasers, trade winds aiding bowling variation, and spinners dominating the middle overs — make it one of the most analytically interesting venues in Caribbean cricket. For cricket tourists, its location in Basseterre — minutes from an airport, metres from a cruise pier, surrounded by the natural beauty of Saint Kitts — makes it one of the most visitor-friendly grounds in the entire Caribbean.

The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots’ 2021 CPL title and 2022 6ixty triumph confirmed that Warner Park can produce champions. With CPL 2026 on the horizon and West Indies international cricket returning regularly, Basseterre’s beloved ground is far from finished making history.

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