The Leo Magnus Cricket Complex is located in Van Nuys, California. The cricket complex is also called Woodley Cricket Field since it is located inWoodleyPark. Former Jamaican Test cricketer Franklyn Rose says “It has the best cricket field facilities in theUS”.
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 theGlendaleEquestrianCentertook 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. TheGriffithParkcricket pavilion had been in use from 1933 to 1978.New Zealandand several English county teams played atGriffithParkincluding Yorkshire CCC captain andEnglandcaptain Brian Close. English fast bowler Fred Trueman was also on the side. Woodley Cricket Field made its mark in the mid 1980’s 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 hostedJamaica(featuring Jimmy Adams and Franklyn Rose) in 1997 andIndiaA (featuring VVS Laxman) vAustraliaA (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 attractedTrinidad and Tobagoand 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. 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 inAustralia.
It has a small stand, which can seat 50 and a clubhouse with bathrooms.IndiaandAustraliaplayed 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. (Pictured above: World Famous Cricketer Brett Lee)