Allan Border Oval

When the spring sun shines on Allan Border Oval, it almost screams scones and jam with Pims. There is no doubt that the batting team are wearing boaters and blazers whilst chatting in a gentlemanly manner in the shade. It’s a picturesque setting that pays due respect to its talented namesake, and though true cricket whites are only seen there on occasion today (when the 100-​year old local team pads up, often actually in blue), the scoreboard and clubhouse both evoke all the old cricketing traditions.
With a family full of girls, our uses of AB Oval are probably seen as a little sacreligious: kicking soccer balls, rolling in the grass, and participating in athletics and running events. There is some controversy in the area about how much other activities can — and should — be allowed to impinge on the pristine cricketing wicket. I won’t delve into that here, but suffice to say despite the idyllic setting, the park complete with playground, Cenotaph and public facilities, only gets three stars from me.