Cazalys Stadium: History, Pitch Report, Seating Capacity, Match Records, Weather and More

If you are a cricket fanatic and follow cricket matches and watch them live, then you must have heard about the Cazalys Stadium located in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The seating capacity of this stadium is approximately 13,500.

Cazalys stadium hosts Australian Football League (AFL), National Rugby League (NRL), A-League, Test, and One Day matches.

This article will provide you with the details about Cazalys Stadium, spectator records, cricket matches, hosted, Records and much more.

Cazalys Stadium: Overview

The Cazalys Stadium is a multi-purpose sports venue and established on 1957 in Westcourt, Cairns, in Queensland, Australia. The history is rich and renowned for hosting diverse events ranging from Australian football to international cricket. 

It might interest you to know that the stadium was in fact, named after the legendary Aussie rules footballer Roy Cazaly – and not surprisingly, the stadium has the capacity to hold 13,500 spectators, thus being the largest oval stadium in Cairns. the stadium is a hub for the Queensland Cricket Association, Queensland Rugby League, and the Australian Football League.

Cazalys Stadium Attendance Records Over the Years

• Capacity and Context: The stadium, which stands proud with a capacity of about 13,000 to 13500, has hosted several cricket matches since 2003 but its remote location certainly impacts the overall attendance. For instance, Australia’s match against Bangladesh in an ODI had reached 8308 spectators.
• 2003 Test and ODIs: The Test against Bangladesh with two ODIs that took place in July and August, respectively, saw some modest crowds with nearly a quarter of Carins and Darwin’s populations attending.
• 2004 Test: The Test against Sri Lanka that took place in July 2004, had some slightly disappointing numbers as seen by the underwhelming number of attendees. This contributed to an 18-year hiatus from international cricket matches.
• Domestic Matches: The 2008 Ford Ranger Cup and the 2016-First Class match was able to draw in a respectable amount of attendees, but it was undocumented. 
• 2022 ODIs: Three ODIs against New Zealand in September 2022 saw a much-improved attendance, thus marking a dramatic resurgence in the history of the stadium.
• 2025 T20I and ODI: On 16th August, the T20I against South Africa had managed to attract a near-capacity crowd, whereas on 19th August, this trend only continued, thus showing an upward interest and a pattern
• Non-Cricket Events: AFL and NRL games show the venue’s true potential for sellout crowds with the help of effective marketing. 

Historic Attendance HIghlights

In the history of attendance records, here is a brief overview of the largest attendants in the history of the stadium: 

• 13500 spectators at the Rugby League with North Queensland Cowboys playing vs Penrith Panthers, which took place in March 2001
• 1,197 attendees at the AFL, with Richmond Tigers vs Gold Coast Suns, which took place in July 2013
• 10961 attendees at the AFL, with Richmond Tigers vs Gold Coast Suns, which took place in July 2012
• 8308 attendees for the Cricket ODI, with Australia playing opposite Bangladesh in August 2003.

Compared to Australia’s larger metropolitan venues, these numbers highlight the passionate sports culture of Far North Queensland.

Recent Cricket Attendances Highlights

According to recent records, the highest cricket crowd that arrived at the Cazalys Stadium was a few years ago, when the approximate capacity reached 9,567, underlining the local enthusiasm for international cricket events.

The venue had sold out for the first-ever men’s T20I schedule in 2025 with a forecast crowd of 10,000, thus demonstrating an increased interest in the shortest format. Although the numbers looked modest as compared to the super-stadiums like the MCG, Cazalys Stadium is still remarkable for the region, and it certainly affirms the venue’s status as a true cricket hotspot in Queensland! 

Cricket Matches Host 

One of the key parts of Cazalys Stadium’s identity lies in its history for hosting domestic and international cricket matches. The ground is known to be associated with cricket and it began in the early 2000s, thus marking itse emergence as an important site for international matches in tropical Australia.

Test Matches

Cazalys Stadium hosted its first Test Match in July 2003, featuring Australia in a game against Bangladesh. This was followed a game of Australia vs Sri Lanka back in July 2004. Only two Test Matches have been played at the ground, namely Australia vs Bangladesh (July 2003), wherein the former won, and Australia vs Sri Lanka (July 2004), with the match ending in a draw.

One Day Internationals (ODIs)

ODI cricket arrived at Cazalys in 2003 with the debut match being Australia vs Bangladesh. Nearly two decades later, the venue hosted a three match series between Australia and New Zealand in 2022. 

• First ODI was held on 2nd September 2003.
• Last ODI was held on 11th September 2002.
• Australia has won all 5 ODIs hosted at the Cazalys Stadium, thus maintaining a 100% win record for the home side.

T20 Internationals (T20Is)

As of 2025, Cazalys Stadium has joined the international T20 circuit thus hosting matches between Australia and South Africa in August. 

Domestic and Women’s Cricket

Cazalys Stadium has also been a regular venue for Women’s Big Bash League fixtures and other such domestic tournaments, thus playing a vital role in the development of cricket in Far North Queensland.

Cazalys Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch report at Cazalys Staidum has certainly gained a reputation for offering balanced conditions, thus catering both to bowlers and batters depending on the match situation and the format. Below, we have explained the pitch report with several departments. 

Surface Characteristics

• Seamers enjoy the pronounced swing and bounce in the initial overs, thus making early breakthroughs 
• As the match progresses, the pitch tends to flatten, thus allowing batters to play their strokes much more freely. Spinners come into play during the middle overs.

Batting and Bowling Trends

• The team that wins the toss often opts to bowl first to take advantage of early movement, whilst chasing is considered a favorable strategy on this pitch.
• This pitch, however, slows down as play progresses, thus making run-scoring slightly harder for set batters.
• First-innings ODI average score between 189 to 267, thus suggesting modest totals can be defended.

Historical Stats and Standouts

Some noteworthy and memorable performances have taken place in this stadium. These include:  

• Darren Lehmann’s Test 177 for Australia against Bangladesh in 2003
• Adam Zampa’s impressive ODI figures of 5/35 against New Zealand
• Steve Smith’s ODI record with 167 runs from several matches, with an average exceeding 55.
• Jason Gillespie vs Trent Boult were seen as standout bowlers.

Pitch Usage and Maintenance

The ground’s maintenance ensures that the surface stays world-class with an exceptional grass outfield and drainage system, thus guaranteeing a quick recovery after a heavy bout of rainfall. Cazalys Stadium is quite generally lauded for providing a fair contest between the bat and ball across various formats.

Conclusion

The Cazalys Stadium stands out as a symbol of sporting heritage in Queensland, as it offers a distinctive blend of tropical charm, sporting excellence, and an impeccable community spirit. The Cazalys Cricket stadium is known for its history of competitive cricket matches, with a balanced pitch report and enthusiastic crowds that affirm its pivotal role in expanding the reach of international cricket in Australia.

Over the years, the stadium has been historically significant thanks to its world-class facilities and amenities. Regardless of whether it is a test, an ODI, or a T20I encounter, this stadium continues to reinforce its legacy as a top-sporting destination located in Far North Queensland, with several matches held and several more to be held.

Refresh Date: September 19, 2025