St George's Park Cricket Ground is one of the oldest cricket venues located in Gqeberha, South Africa.
Previously named Port Elizabeth, Gqeberha hosted the first Test to be played outside England or Australia in March 1889. England won the Test by eight wickets.
Situated within sight of the ocean, St George's Park is popular for its brass band that plays during matches.
The iconic ground is home of the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, one of the oldest cricket clubs in South Africa, the Eastern Province Club and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
St George's Park later staged its first one-day international (ODI) between South Africa and India in December 1992. The hosts won by six wickets.
It was selected as one of the 15 venues to host the ICC ODI World Cup in 2003. It hosted five matches during the marquee ICC tournament including three group
Since December 2007, St George's Park has staged three T20 international matches so far. It also hosted Indian T20 League matches in 2009.
Let’s have a look at St George's Park T20 records and stats:
St George's Park T20I records and stats
Highest team total
The South Africa cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at St. George's Park in T20 international cricket. During the third T20I of New Zealand’s tour of South Africa in 2012, the Faf du Plessis-led hosts posted 179/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Opening batter Henry Davids’ 68 off 51 balls and Justin Ontong’s 30-ball 48 helped South Africa record a great total on the board. South Africa later restricted New Zealand to 146/9 in their 20 overs to register a 33-run victory in Gqeberha. With the win, the hosts clinched the three-match T20I series 2-1.
Lowest team total
New Zealand and Australia have registered the lowest team total at St. George's Park in T20I format. Chasing 180, New Zealand could only manage 146/9 in their 20 overs against South Africa in December 2012. Captain Brendon McCullum was the top-scorer for the Kiwis with 25. In February 2020, Australia recorded 146/6 in their 20 overs while chasing South Africa’s 158/4 in the second T20I of the three-match series. Lungi Ngidi was the wrecker-in-chief for the Proteas as he bagged three wickets for 41 runs in his quota of four overs.
Most runs
South Africa’s Quinton de Kock has scored the most runs at this cricket venue in T20I cricket. The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 72 runs in two T20Is at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 141.17. Quinton de Kock has slammed one T20I fifty at St. George's Park. Compatriot Henry Davids is second on the list with 68 runs in the only game that he played.
Most wickets
Legendary South Africa cricketer Dale Steyn currently holds the record for the most wickets at this ground in T20I format. The former right-arm fast bowler scalped four T20I wickets in one match against West Indies in December 2007. Former West Indies pacer Jerome Taylor features second on the list with three T20I wickets at this venue.
Highest individual score
Opening batter Quinton de Kock registered the highest individual score at St. George's Park in T20I cricket. Electing to bat first, captain Quinton de Kock scored 70 off 47 balls against Australia in the second T20I of the three-match series in 2020. His swashbuckling knock was laced with five fours and four sixes. Quinton de Kock’s knock guided South Africa to 158/4 in their allotted overs. The hosts later restricted Australia to 146/6 to win the game by 12 runs in Gqeberha.
Best bowling figures
Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn recorded the best bowling figures at the venue in T20I format. Dale Steyn registered impressive figures of 3-0-9-4 against West Indies in a rain-affected T20I in December 2007. Defending 58, Steyn dismissed Devon Smith, Runako Morton, Marlon Samuels and captain Dwayne Bravo to reduce West Indies to 41/5 in the first six overs. Despite Steyn’s brilliant spell, West Indies later chased down the target in 9.5 overs to register a five-wicket win.
Highest partnership
South Africa’s Justin Ontong and Henry Davids hold the record for the highest partnership at St. George's Park in T20I cricket. Justin Ontong and Henry Davids stitched an 89-run partnership for the third wicket against New Zealand in the third T20I in 2012. Davids scored 68 while Ontong smashed a quick-fire 48 to power South Africa to 179/6 in their 20 overs. The hosts won the match by 33 runs to claim the three-match series 2-1.
Photo credit: Alamy
