Harare Sports Club, Harare Pitch Report: Zimbabwe have contributed significantly to global cricket, and central to this growth is the Harare Sports Club — the country’s primary international cricket venue. This historic stadium, also known as Salisbury Sports Club, has hosted more than 300 international matches and remains the heartbeat of Zimbabwean cricket.
The stadium, established in 1900, also supports other sports such as tennis, rugby, squash, and golf. With a seating capacity of around 10,000, it is one of Zimbabwe’s busiest sporting venues and the host of the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026 Final between England U19 and India U19.
Harare Sports Club is operated by Zimbabwe Cricket. The two bowling ends at this venue are the City End and the Club House End. Let’s take a detailed look at the pitch, stats, and conditions at this iconic ground.
Harare Sports Club, Harare Details
| Location | Harare, Zimbabwe (Salisbury Sports Club) |
| Opened | 1900 |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| Shortest Boundary Distance | 62–64 meters |
| Longest Boundary Distance | 68–69 meters |
| Bowling Ends | City End, Club House End |
| Highest Total (ODIs) | 408/6 (50 Ov) – Zimbabwe vs USA |
| Lowest Total (ODIs) | 35/10 (18 Ov) – Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka |
| Flood Lights | Yes |
| Pitch | Grass |
Harare Sports Club, Harare Pitch Report
The Harare Sports Club pitch is generally slow, dry, and spinner-friendly. The surface tends to grip as the match progresses, allowing spinners and slower bowlers to extract turn and variation. It is not considered a high-scoring ground.
Batters often struggle early on due to low bounce and lack of pace. However, once they settle, the ground’s moderate boundary distances — 62–64 meters square and 68–69 meters straight — allow for controlled scoring. A slow outfield further balances the contest between bat and ball.
Harare Sports Club, Harare Records: Overall Ground Stats
| Format | Played | Bat First Won | Bowl First Won | Drawn/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 40 | 18 | 13 | 9 |
| ODIs | 205 | 92 | 107 | 6 |
| T20Is | 83 | 45 | 36 | 2 |
Harare Sports Club, Harare Stats & Records (Format-wise)
Harare Sports Club is only the second venue in cricket history to host more than 200 ODIs. Teams bowling first and batting first have both enjoyed success here, but the slow nature of the pitch keeps matches competitive across formats.
STATS – TEST
| Total matches | 40 |
| Matches won batting first | 18 |
| Matches won bowling first | 13 |
| Average 1st innings score | 323 |
| Average 2nd innings score | 312 |
| Average 3rd innings score | 243 |
| Average 4th innings score | 147 |
| Highest total recorded | 600/3 – RSA vs ZIM |
| Lowest total recorded | 59/10 – ZIM vs NZ |
STATS – ODI
| Total matches | 205 |
| Matches won batting first | 92 |
| Matches won bowling first | 107 |
| Average 1st innings score | 230 |
| Average 2nd innings score | 196 |
| Highest total recorded | 408/6 – ZIM vs USA |
| Lowest total recorded | 35/10 – ZIM vs SL |
| Highest score chased | 328/3 – RSA vs AUS |
| Lowest score defended | 129/10 – ZIM vs AFG |
STATS – T20I
| Total matches | 83 |
| Matches won batting first | 45 |
| Matches won bowling first | 36 |
| Average 1st innings score | 155 |
| Average 2nd innings score | 133 |
| Highest total recorded | 259/5 – ZIM vs BW |
| Lowest total recorded | 71/10 – MWI vs NAM |
| Highest score chased | 194/5 – BAN vs ZIM |
| Lowest score defended | 77/5 – ZIM vs IRE |
Harare Sports Club, Harare Weather Report
| Venue | Conditions | Temperature | Humidity | Rain Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harare Sports Club | Partly Cloudy | 25–27°C | 25–35% | 30–35% |
During the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026 final week, Harare is expected to experience mild cloud cover with a slight chance of light showers. However, a complete washout is unlikely. Weather conditions should remain suitable for a full 50-over contest.
FAQs
What is the ODI record at Harare Sports Club?
A total of 205 ODIs have been played here. Teams batting first have won 92 matches, while teams bowling first have won 107.
What is the boundary size of Harare Sports Club?
The square boundaries measure 62–64 meters, while the straight boundaries measure around 68–69 meters.
What is the latest weather forecast for matches at Harare Sports Club?
Conditions are expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures around 25°C and humidity between 25–35%. Light showers are possible but unlikely to stop play.
Is Harare Sports Club pitch batting or bowling friendly?
The pitch is generally bowling-friendly, especially for spinners and seamers early on. However, set batters can score freely once they adjust to the pace.
Does Harare Sports Club favor fast bowlers or spinners?
Spinners enjoy more assistance due to the dry, grippy surface. Pacers benefit early with swing and seam movement.
Is Harare Sports Club a high-scoring ground?
No, it usually produces moderate totals. The average ODI first-innings score is around 230, while the average T20I score is 155.
