An exhibition celebrating the moments and milestones of 150 years of Cricket Wellington now encircles the iconic Basin Reserve, following its installation today.

The photos tell the story and history of cricket’s development in the Capital, featuring people and moments from across the game’s 150-year history.

“The Basin Reserve is the heart of Wellington Cricket and the people, past and present, who’ve helped the game thrive over the past 150 years are its lifeblood,” says Cricket Wellington CEO Todd Bryant.

“It’s quite fitting then that these images wrap right around the Basin, just as the blood keeps the heart pumping, it’s the people that keep cricket in Wellington alive. But the Basin is not only at the heart of cricket in the region, it’s also at the heart of Wellington and that’s why this 150th anniversary celebration is also a celebration of the Wellington region.”

The Basin exhibition is one of several events planned to celebrate the milestone.

“Cricket Wellington has been built by the passion and commitment of generations of clubs, players, volunteers, officials, administrators, members and supporters, and we want to honour that legacy and celebrate the stories that define us.”

The 45 images around the Basin Reserve have been selected to celebrate not only the greats of the game and historic international victories, but also to celebrate and show the enormous impact Cricket Wellington has had across the community.

One of the first games of cricket is thought to have been played in Wellington in 1840 between the Gentlemen of Thorndon and members of the Pickwick Club.

In January 1868, the first game was played at the Basin Reserve – but a match report noted: “the ground was nothing like Lords… stones and thistles prevailed to the detriment of hands and fingers and at the close of day the ball looked like it had smallpox.”

In 1875, the Wellington Cricket Association was formed.

In 1930, the Basin hosted its first Test, with New Zealand playing England. The match was drawn, with the legendary Wellington batter Stewie Dempster scoring 136 – New Zealand’s first Test century.

In 1948, New Zealand and Australia played the first women’s Test at the Basin Reserve – it was just the second Test ever for the New Zealand women’s side.

While the Basin has seen momentous milestones achieved by stars of the game including Dempster, J R Reid, Trish McKelvey, Bob Blair, Sir Richard Hadlee, Martin Crowe, Brendon McCullum, Sophie Devine and Melie Kerr, the exhibition celebrates all cricketers and all those who have made the game possible over the past 150 years.
 

Article added: Tuesday 08 September 2026