The Indian cricket team is touring Australia for a T20I series after the ODIs. The Ind vs Aus 1st T20 will be at Manuka Oval, Canberra on October 29, 2025, starting at 1:45 PM IST (7:15 PM local time).
Canberra Cricket Stadium, Manuka Oval
This small ground has trees around it and old stands. It has fast outfields and good bounce, so big hitters love it.
It uses drop-in pitches that are even and fast. The square boundaries are short (60-65m). Manuka, Oval has seen many high-scoring T20Is lately.
The weather is cool at night with some wind. This helps swing early under lights. Dew is not common but can happen in late October. It helps the team batting second a little.
The Pitch Report says it is a batting-friendly ground with good carry and little side movement after the first 4-5 overs. Fast bowlers get extra speed with short balls. Spinners find it hard unless they change speed smartly.
In the last five T20Is here, teams chasing won four times. A score of 170+ was defended only once. Expect fast scoring, big shots in powerplay, and a par score of 150-160. Let’s check out the Pitch Report.
Canberra Cricket Stadium Pitch Report – Batting or Bowling Pitch?
| Stadium Name | Canberra (Manuka, Oval) |
| Location | Canberra, Australia |
| Opened | 1929 |
| Seating Capacity | 13,500 |
| Boundary Size (Straight) | Around 70-72 meters |
Canberra Cricket Stadium, also known as Manuka, Oval, is one of the historic and nice stadiums in Australia.
It opened in 1929 and can hold about 13,500 people. It’s mostly used for cricket and Australian rules football. It’s a small ground that often hosts big matches.
The Pitch Data says it’s a good pitch for batting. It’s a high-scoring ground, especially in T20Is. Early on, there’s some even bounce, but later batting becomes easier. In the Ind vs Aus 1st T20, batters will enjoy it.
This pitch favors batting, but bowlers get chances too. Fast bowlers get help with the new ball. Middle overs are good for set batters to score runs. Canberra Cricket Stadium makes run-scoring easy, especially if boundaries are cleared.
Pitch Report – Fast Bowlers or Spinners Pitch?
Like other Australian pitches, Canberra Stadium gives fast bowlers an edge early on. The pitch has good bounce and pace. It uses a drop-in pitch in some seasons, prepared off-site and brought in.
Fast bowlers get extra bounce, pace, and movement with the new ball. In Bowlers or Spinners, fast bowlers will dominate early. Spinners don’t get much help, but they can find grip later in the match.
Spinners have a tough time here. They need to force batters into mistakes. Fast bowlers who hit the deck hard will shine. That’s why India included pacers like Harshit Rana.
The Pitch shows the pitch slows down slightly as the match goes on, making batting easier. So, the team winning the toss might opt to chase in T20I format.
Overall, Manuka, Oval helps fast bowlers early with movement, pace, and bounce, especially with the new ball. But later, pace drops, and batting gets easier in the second innings. In Bowlers or Spinners, spinners have a smaller role.
Canberra Cricket Stadium – Records
Test Records
| Category | Details |
| Total Matches | 2 |
| Batting First Wins | 1 |
| Bowling First Wins | 1 |
| Draws | 0 |
| Avg 1st Innings Score | 435 |
| Avg 2nd Innings Score | 256 |
| Avg 3rd Innings Score | 206 |
| Avg 4th Innings Score | 197 |
| Highest Total | 534/5 (Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2019) |
| Lowest Total | 149/10 (Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2019) |
| Highest Chase | N/A |
| Lowest Defended | 149 (Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2019) |
ODI Records
| Category | Details |
| Total Matches | 20 |
| Batting First Wins | 15 |
| Bowling First Wins | 5 |
| Avg 1st Innings Score | 261 |
| Avg 2nd Innings Score | 196 |
| Highest Total | 411/4 (RSE vs IRE) |
| Lowest Total | 86/10 (WI vs AUS) |
| Highest Chase | 230/8 (AUSW vs RSAW) |
| Lowest Defended | 167/9 (AUSW vs NZW) |
T20I Records
| Category | Details |
| Total Matches | 22 |
| Batting First Wins | 10 |
| Bowling First Wins | 9 |
| Ties/No Result | 3 |
| Avg 1st Innings Score | 150 |
| Avg 2nd Innings Score | 126 |
| Highest Total | 195/3 (RSA vs THAIW) |
| Lowest Total | 71 (New Zealand vs Australia) |
| Highest Chase | 181/6 (ENGW vs AUSW) |
| Lowest Defended | 144/10 (ENGW vs AUSW) |
FAQ:
Is Manuka Oval Pitch Batting or Bowling Friendly?
Manuka Oval offers a balanced surface. Early on, fast bowlers get bounce and movement with the new ball. But as the match progresses, the pitch gets easier, especially for batting in the second innings. The Pitch Data says it’s more batting-friendly.
What’s the Average Score at Canberra Cricket Stadium?
In T20Is, the first innings average is around 150 runs. This shows bowlers are key early, but batters take control after 5-10 overs. A 140-160 score could be chaseable.
What Are Manuka Oval’s Boundary Dimensions?
The boundaries add fun to the match. Square boundaries are about 60-65 meters, while straight boundaries are around 70-72 meters. This makes hitting sixes easier, especially with the wind.
