The SuperSport Park is one of the iconic cricket stadiums located in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa.
Originally named as Centurion Park, the cricket venue has a seating capacity of 22,000 and also features Beach Cabana type hospitality chalets on the grass banks. It has a beautiful outfield with one of the best drainage facilities.
Considered to be one of the cricket grounds with the best players' facilities in the world, the SuperSport Park staged its first One-Day International (ODI) between hosts South Africa and India in December 1992. India won the match by four wickets.
The SuperSport Park is the home ground of the South African cricket team, Titans cricket team and SA20’s Pretoria Capitals.
It was also one of the venues that hosted ICC World Cup 2003 and ICC Champions Trophy 2009. It also staged the Indian T20 League in 2009.
Let’s have a look at SuperSport Park ODI records and stats:
SuperSport Park ODI records and stats
Highest team total
The South Africa cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at the SuperSport Park in ODI cricket. During the first ODI of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in 2007, the Graeme Smith-led hosts posted a mammoth total of 392/6 in their 50 overs. Fifties from Jacques Kallis (88 not out), Mark Boucher (78), captain Graeme Smith (72) and AB de Villiers (67) helped South Africa register a record ODI total at the venue. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 228 in 46.4 overs. South Africa won the five-match ODI series 3-1.
Lowest team total
South Africa also recorded the lowest team total at the SuperSport Park in ODI format. Put in to bat, South Africa were skittled out for 118 in 32.2 overs against India in the second ODI of the 2018 series. Khaya Zondo and Jean-Paul Duminy top-scored for the hosts with 25 each. For India, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the wrecker-in-chief as he bagged five wickets for 22 runs in his 8.2 overs. Chasing 119, Shikhar Dhawan (51 not out) and Virat Kohli (46 not out) guided India to a nine-wicket victory in Centurion. The Virat Kohli-led visitors clinched the six-match ODI series 5-1.
Most runs
Former South African cricketer Hashim Amla holds the record for the most runs at this venue in ODI cricket. Between 2009 and 2019, the stylish right-handed batter accumulated 904 runs in 15 matches at an average of 64.57 and a strike rate of 93.48. He slammed five hundreds and one fifty at the SuperSport Park in the 50-over format. Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith is second on the list with 861 runs in 17 ODIs on this ground.
Most wickets
Legendary South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock picked up the most wickets at the SuperSport Park in 50-over cricket. The former right-arm pacer bagged 32 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 16.09 and an economy of 3.53 between 1996 and 2008. He registered best bowling figures of 5/37 on this ground in the ODI format. Ex-Proteas speedster Dale Steyn features second on the list with 24 wickets in 13 ODIs at an economy of 4.73.
Highest individual score
South Africa’s Quinton de Kock registered the highest individual score at this ground in ODI cricket. Chasing 295 against Australia in 2016, the flamboyant left-hander scored 178 off 113 balls during the first ODI in Centurion. Quinton de Kock’s scintillating knock was laced with 16 fours and 11 sixes. His brilliant innings helped South Africa chase down the required target in 36.2 overs with six wickets in hand. Earlier, Australia posted 294/9 in their allotted 50 overs.
Best bowling figures
Former Ireland cricketer David Trent Johnston recorded the best bowling figures at the SuperSport Park in ODI cricket. During the ICC World Cup Qualifiers final in 2009, Johnston registered brilliant figures of 10-4-14-5 to bowl out Canada for 185 in 48 overs. The Canadian right-arm pacer claimed the crucial wickets of Ashif Mulla, Rizwan Cheema, Ian Billcliff, captain Ashish Bagai and Sunil Dhaniram. Ireland later chased down the target in 42.3 overs and won the final by nine wickets.
Highest partnership
Former Australian cricketers Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting hold the record for the highest partnership at the SuperSport Park in the ODI format. Watson and captain Ponting forged a match-winning 252-run stand for the second wicket against arch-rivals England while chasing 258 in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2009. While Watson smashed 131 not out, Ponting remained unbeaten on 111.
Photo credit: Alamy
