The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is one of the oldest sport stadiums located in the Moore Park suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Established in 1948, the Sydney Cricket Ground is owned and operated by Venues NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The SCG has a seating capacity of 48,000.
It is the home ground of the Australia cricket team, New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Sixers of the Big Bash League.
The Sydney Cricket Ground hosted its first international cricket match, a Test played between arch-rivals Australia and England in February 1882. The Billy Murdoch-led Australia won the Ashes Test by five wickets.
Since then, it has staged more than 110 Tests so far. With that being said, let’s have a look at the Sydney Cricket Ground Test records and stats.
Sydney Cricket Ground Test records and stats
Highest total
The India cricket team registered the highest total at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Test cricket. During the fourth Test of India’s tour of Australia in January 2004, the Sourav Ganguly-led visitors posted a mammoth total of 705/7d after opting to bat first. Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten 241, VVS Laxman’s 178 along with contributions from Virender Sehwag (72), Parthiv Patel (62), Aakash Chopra (45) and Rahul Dravid (38) helped India post the highest Test total at the venue. India later bowled out Australia for 474 and then declared their second innings at 211/2. Chasing 443, Australia were 357/6 in the fourth innings as the match later ended in a draw.
Lowest total
The Australia cricket team recorded the lowest total at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Test cricket. During the only Test of England’s tour of Australia in February 1888, the hosts were bundled out for 42 in their first innings after England scored 113. Tom Garrett top-scored for Australia with 10. For England, left-arm spinner Bobby Peel bagged six wickets while right-arm pacer George Lohmann picked up five wickets. England later managed 137 in their second innings. Australia were later bowled out for 82 while chasing 209 as England won the Sydney Test by 126 runs.
Most runs
Former Australia cricket team captain Ricky Ponting scored the most runs at this ground in cricket’s longest format in Sydney. Between 1996 and 2012, Ricky Ponting amassed 1,480 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 67.27. The former right-handed batter slammed six centuries and as many fifties at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Test cricket. Australia cricket legend Allan Border features second on the list with 1,177 runs in 17 matches at an average of 56.04.
Most wickets
Legendary Australia spinner Shane Warne bagged the most wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Test cricket. The former leg-spinner claimed 64 wickets in just 14 matches at an average of 28.12 between 1992 and 2007. Warne recorded four four-wicket hauls and four fifers at this venue in Sydney in Test cricket. His former teammate Stuart MacGill is second on the list with 53 wickets in eight Tests at an average of 24.47.
Highest individual score
Former Australia cricketer Michael Clarke holds the record for the highest individual score at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Tests. Batting at No. 5, Michael Clarke slammed an unbeaten 329 against India in their first innings of the second Test in Sydney in January 2012. Michael Clarke’s magnificent triple century was laced with 39 fours and one six to help Australia post 659/4d after India were skittled out for 191 in their first innings. India were bowled out for 400 in their second innings as Australia won the Sydney Test by an innings and 68 runs.
Best bowling figures in an innings
England pacer George Lohmann registered the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test at this venue in February 1887. The former right-arm medium fast recorded match-winning figures of 8/35 to help England bowl out Australia for 84 in their first innings of the second Test at the iconic SCG. George Lohmann dismissed John Lyons, Walter Giffen, Reginald Allen, captain Percy McDonnell, Billy Midwinter, John Cottam , Tom Garrett and J.J. Ferris. Lohmann’s magnificent spell helped England register a 71-run victory in Sydney.
Best bowling figures in a match
Former Australia cricketer Charlie Turner holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Charlie Turner took 12 wickets during the only Test of England’s tour of Australia in February 1888. While Turner picked up five wickets for 44 runs in the first innings, the right-arm pacer claimed seven wickets for 43 runs in the second innings. Turner’s incredible bowling performance went in vain as England won the Test by 126 runs.
Highest partnership
Former Australia cricketers Don Bradman and Sid Barnes recorded the highest partnership at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Test cricket. During the second Test of England’s tour of Australia in December 1946, Don Bradman and Sid Barnes stitched an incredible 405-run stand for the fifth wicket to power Australia to 659/8d in their first innings. Opening the innings, Sid Barnes scored 234 while Don Bradman slammed 234 batting at No.6. Under the leadership of Bradman, Australia won the Sydney Test by an innings and 33 runs
Photo credit: Imago
