The Leo Magnus Cricket Complex
| Woodley Cricket Field | |
|---|---|
| Location | Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California |
| Owner | Army Corps of Engineers |
| Operator | Southern California Cricket Association |
| Surface | Grass |
| Capacity | 5000 main stadium, 7000 total |
The Leo Magnus Cricket Complex is located in the Van Nuys district of Los Angeles, California, United States.[1]
The cricket complex is also called Woodley Cricket Field since it is located in Woodley Park.[2] Former Jamaican Test cricketer Franklyn Rose says "It has the best cricket field facilities in the US".[3] The cricket complex is named after Leo "Jingles" Magnus, another former Jamaican cricketer who also played for the University Cricket Club and coached the Los Angeles Krickets, Sheenaway Serendipity Cricket Club and the Compton Cricket Club. The complex in Van Nuys was made starting in 1978 because the Glendale Equestrian Center took over the Griffith Park Cricket Association grounds established in May 1933 following Hollywood Cricket Club's game against the Australian test side which included Donald Bradman and was captained by Vic Richardson. The old pavilion still stands along with the opposing sight screen and is now used for weddings.The Griffith Park cricket pavilion had been in use from 1933 to 1978. New Zealand and several English county teams played at Griffith Park including Yorkshire CCC captain and England captain Brian Close. English fast bowler Fred Trueman was also on the side. Woodley Cricket Field made its mark in the mid-1980s with the opening of two new grounds in 1996 name the Gene Wong and John Marder fields, both named for SCCA Presidents. John Marder founded the United States of America Cricket Association in 1963. In 1997, Woodley hosted Jamaica (featuring Jimmy Adams and Franklyn Rose) in 1997 and India A (featuring VVS Laxman) v Australia A (Brett Lee, Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds)test match in 1999.In the new millennium T20 Twenty over cricket) cricket came of age under SCCA President Vehman Reddy who helped organize funding which attracted Trinidad and Tobago and the Punjabi Blues for three annual tournaments. Frequently used for United States of America Cricket Association trials the most recent event held at Woodley was American College Cricket's Regionals-the first event of its kind on the West Coast.
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[edit] Main Event Field
The Main Event Field is a large circular grass field and pitch with a 5,000-seat stadium. The Woodley Cricket Field, has the feel of a district cricket club ground in Australia. It has a small stand, which can seat 50 and a clubhouse with bathrooms.
India and Australia played four limited overs matches at Woodley Cricket Field in 1999 and attracted 5,000 for one game. Greats like VVS Laxman, Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist played in that series.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Simunovich, Peter (June 19, 2009). "USA's Best Cricket Grounds: The Leo Magnus Cricket Complex - Woodley Cricket Field in Van Nuys.". Retrieved 2009-07-21.
- ^ "Woodley Park". Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ According to Franklyn Rose as cited in Peter Simunovich's (June 19, 2009) dreamcricket article.
David Sentance SCCA Historian and author Cricket in America 1710-2000 (McFarland Press 2006)
[edit] External links
- 6350 Woodley Avenue is at 34°11′8″N 118°29′1″W / 34.18556°N 118.48361°WCoordinates: 34°11′8″N 118°29′1″W / 34.18556°N 118.48361°W
