Canberra’s Manuka Oval first hosted a Big Bash League (BBL) match in early 2015. But it wasn’t until the 2018/19 season that the venue started hosting BBL matches more frequently.
Since then, the Manuka Oval has been Sydney Thunder’s second home ground. The Thunder play a few home matches here every season. And they have had a fine record at this venue.
That said, here’s a look at the Manuka Oval’s BBL record and stats.
Manuka Oval, Canberra: Venue Details
| Location | Griffith, Australian Capital Territory |
| Opened | 1929 |
| Capacity | 15,000 |
| Bowling Ends | Pool End, Manuka End |
| Floodlights | Yes |
| Home to | Australia, ACT Comets, ACT Meteors, Sydney Thunder |
| First BBL Match | Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers – 28 January 2015 |
Manuka Oval, Canberra: BBL Stats
| Matches Played | 27 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 10 |
| Matches Won Batting Second | 16 |
| Matches Won After Winning Toss | 12 |
| Matches Won After Losing Toss | 14 |
| Matches Tied | 0 |
| Matches With No Result | 1 |
| Highest Individual Score | 98* by James Vince (Sixers) vs Scorchers |
| Best Bowling Figures | 4/10 by Nathan Coulter-Nile (Stars) vs Heat |
| Highest Team Total | 219/7 by Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars |
| Lowest Team Total | 80 by Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder |
| Average First Innings Score | 166 |
Bat First or Second: In 27 BBL matches played at the Manuka Oval, chasing sides have been more successful. Teams have chased down targets in 16 of the 27 fixtures.
Toss: The toss doesn’t seem to impact the outcomes much. But bowling first should be an ideal choice here.
Average Score: The venue generally records moderate scores. The average first innings score at the Manuka Oval is 166. But teams have been scoring 180-plus totals frequently in recent seasons.
Read Also: Melbourne Cricket Ground BBL Records & Stats – Melbourne, Australia Venue
Manuka Oval, Canberra: Memorable BBL Records
- Sydney Thunder recorded the highest team total here – 219/7 vs Melbourne Stars, 2020.
- James Vince smashed the highest individual score in Canberra for Sydney Sixers – 98* vs Perth Scorchers, 2021.
- Nathan Coulter-Nile delivered the best bowling figures here for Melbourne Stars – 4/10 vs Brisbane Heat, 2020.
Manuka Oval, Canberra: Upcoming BBL Matches
Sydney Thunder will play two of their home matches at the Manuka Oval in Canberra in the 2025/26 BBL season. They will square off against Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars.
BBL 2025/26 matches at the Manuka Oval:
| Date | Matches | Time (Local/IST) |
|---|---|---|
| December 22, 2025 | Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat, 9th Match | 7:15 PM/1:45 PM |
| December 28, 2025 | Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars, 14th Match | 7:15 PM/1:45 PM |
