Established way back in 1888, the Sahara Park Stadium, also known as the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, South Africa has hosted 44 One Day Internationals over the years.
The first-ever One Day International match played in Newlands was between India and South Africa in December 1992. The home team posted a six-wicket win over India on that occasion.
This stadium, sitting snugly at the foothills of the Table mountain, is one of the most picturesque cricket stadiums in the world. The venue is equipped to house a crowd of 25,000.
Host to five matches in the 2003 ODI World Cup, Newlands Cricket Ground has seen its fair share of exciting fixtures over the years.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the ODI stats and records made at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, South Africa.
Highest team total: The highest team total at Newlands in an ODI was achieved by South Africa against Sri Lanka on February 7, 2017. The team scored 367/5 riding on Faf du Plessis’ 185 (141). In response, the Lankans fell short of the target by 40 runs.
Lowest team total: Pakistan were bundled out for 43 by West Indies in 1993 in what was the lowest team total in an ODI at this venue. Exceptional bowling courtesy West Indian Courtney Walsh, who finished with figures of 16 for 4, is what made inroads into the Pakistani batting lineup. West Indies won the match by seven wickets and 225 balls to spare.
Highest individual score: Faf du Plessis’ 185 (141) against Sri Lanka is the highest individual ODI score at Newlands. His knock comprised 16 fours as well as three sixes and he got his runs at a strike rate of 131.2.
Best bowling figures: Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga’s figures of 6 for 19 against England in January 2000 is the best bowling figures at Newlands in ODIs. His efforts restricted England to 107, helping Zimbabwe win by 104 runs.
Most runs: South Africa’s legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis has 662 ODI runs at Newlands - the most at this venue by any cricketer. His 662 ODI runs came over 21 games at an average of 38.94 and a strike rate of 71.25.
Most wickets: Another South African great in Shaun Pollock holds the record for most wickets in ODIs at Newlands. He has 30 scalps in 21 matches at an average of 19.33 and a strike rate of 35.1 at the Newlands.
Highest partnership: Gary Kirsten and Neil McKenzie stitched the highest partnership in an ODI at the Newlands stadium, with the pair putting on 209 runs together for the second wicket. Kirsten’s 124 (130) and McKenzie’s unbeaten 131 (121) helped South Africa set Kenya a target of 355 runs. The Proteas won the game by 208 runs in 2001, and two decades later, this record is yet to be broken.
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Featured photo: AFP / GIANLUIGI GUERCIA
