THE OVAL’S famous dressing rooms and players’ balcony are set to be torn down as part of a dramatic renovation.
The dressing rooms and viewing balcony have played host to some of the most memorable scenes in cricket, and are now set for a modern makeover.
Surrey Cricket deemed the existing facilities too cramped for teams and staff to work efficiently.
A report in the Sunday Times said that the plans will see the home and away dressing rooms replaced with a men’s and women’s dressing rooms.
The women’s dressing room will become the away dressing room for men’s matches.
Upon the renovation’s completion, The Oval will be among the most sophisticated stadiums in the country.
Updated player facilities include an improved viewing gallery featuring floor to ceiling windows.
They will also be treated to a new range of modern recovery facilities including hyperbaric chambers, compression chambers, and a new physio room.
Players will have access to a relaxation room, data analysis suite, and updated catering facilities.
The updates are expected to be completed by March and in use for the new season.
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They follow a move to double the size of the stadium’s screen and install new energy efficient floodlights.
Plans are in place to build open-plan hospitality areas above the dressing rooms.
The JM Finn Stand is also due to receive refurbishments, but the ground’s capacity will not increase.
The dressing rooms’ demolition marks the end of an era in cricket, having played host to a range of iconic moments.
Their looming presence above the pitch at the Oval has made the stadium one of the most recognizable in cricket.
They also became a go-to destination for post-series celebrations between players.
The Oval became the first ground in England to host international Test cricket in 1880, but has been open since 1845.
