The Newlands Cricket Ground, previously known as the Sahara Park, boasts one of the most picturesque views offered by the cricketing world. It was established in 1888.

Located at the foot of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak, two premier sightseeing points in Cape Town, the Newlands is a beautiful venue to watch and play the sport. Despite multiple renovations in recent years, it has retained its charm.

The Newlands Cricket Ground is home to MI Cape Town in the SA20 competition, while it hosts Western Province and the Cape Cobras in the domestic tournaments. The refurbished stadium now has a capacity of 25,000 spectators.

South African grounds are known for their pacey and bouncy pitches. However, the Newlands offers great assistance to spinners, making it a unique one in the country.

Meanwhile, the first T20 match at the Newlands Cricket Ground was played on April 7, 2004, where the home team Cape Cobras beat the Dolphins by six wickets. 

The Australian cricket team played the first T20 International at the venue, surprisingly losing to Zimbabwe in the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007. Overall, 21 T20Is have been played at the Newlands.

Newlands Cricket Ground T20 records

Highest team total

The highest team total at the Newlands Cricket Ground in T20s is 212/4, registered by Cape Cobras in March 2007. Jean-Paul Duminy’s 57-ball 93 powered the Cobras to a massive total against the Titans, for whom Dale Steyn and Albie Morkel led the attack.

Meanwhile, no team in T20Is has managed to cross the 200-run mark, with Australia’s 193/5 against South Africa in February 2020 being the best.

Lowest team total

Team Rajasthan was bowled out for 58 against Team Bangalore in Indian T20 League 2009. It is the record for the lowest team total at Newlands.

Anil Kumble’s masterful spell of 5/5, along with Praveen Kumar’s two-for, derailed Rajasthan. Only three batters scored in double figures, with a best score of 11.

South Africa have the unwanted record of the lowest T20I total at this venue after being bowled out for 96 against Australia.

Highest partnership

England pair Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan hold the record for the highest partnership at the Newlands. The duo smashed an unbeaten stand of 167, helping chase down 192 against South Africa in December 2020.

Matthew Breetzke and Ben Dunk’s 136-run partnership ranks second, while Faf du Plessis and Reeza Hendricks’ stand of 131 claims the third spot. 

Most runs

Former South African international Jean-Paul Duminy has scored 841 runs in 29 matches at Newlands in T20s, the most by any player. He is the only player above the 800-run mark. Duminy bagged his runs while playing for Team Mumbai, Cape Cobras, South Africa and Western Province.

The all-South African top 10 list features Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and Herschelle Gibbs.

Most wickets

Rory Kleinveldt holds the record for most wickets in T20s at the Newlands, scalping 29 wickets in 35 matches. The Protea pacer, based out of Cape Town, represented the Cape Cobras, Tshwane Spartans and Western Province.

Meanwhile, T20 specialist Charl Langeveldt ranks second with 28 wickets, all while playing for Cape Cobras. In T20 Internationals, Imran Tahir leads the pack with 13 wickets in five matches. 

Highest individual score

South Africa batter Henry Davids is the only cricketer to slam a T20 ton at the Newlands Cricket Ground. His knock of 112 runs from 48 balls for Cape Cobras against the Warriors is the highest individual score in the format at this ground.

Dawid Malan, England’s top-order batter, came closest to making a hundred in T20Is at the Newlands, with an unbeaten 99 against South Africa in December 2020 being his best. 

Hashim Amla, Jean-Paul Duminy and Quinton de Kock are the other batters with the highest individual scores of 90+ at Newlands in T20s.

Best bowling figures

Beuran Hendricks’ 6/29 for Cape Cobras against the Knights is the best bowling figures in T20s at Newlands. India’s Anil Kumble headlines the list of other bowlers with five-wicket hauls at this ground.

Meanwhile, in T20 Internationals, Australia’s Stuart Clark’s 4/20 against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2007 is the best bowling figures at the Newlands Cricket Ground.

 

Photo credits: Alamy