The Wanderers Stadium was constructed in 1956 to replace the Old Wanderers Stadium in South Africa. The stadium is located just south of Sandton in Illovo, Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province, and it hosted its first international match in 1956 against England. Since then, it has hosted 37 Tests, 44 ODIs and 25 T20Is.
The Wanderers, affectionately known as the Bullring due to its intimidating atmosphere, is the home ground for the Highveld Lions in domestic cricket.
The stadium was renovated in 1991 following South Africa's readmission to international cricket and now has a seating capacity of 34,000.
Apart from international cricket, the venue has also hosted Indian T20 League matches and a rugby union test match.
Interestingly, the Indian cricket team has never lost a Test match at the Wanderers Stadium, winning two and drawing three in five visits.
Here, we look at the Test records made at The Wanderers Stadium:
Highest team total: Australia posted a mammoth 652/7 against South Africa in 2002, the highest Test score at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Electing to bat first, the Aussies rode on Adam Gilchrist’s double century (204) and Matthew Hayden’s scintillating ton to register the massive score on the board. As a result, the mighty Australians bowled South Africa out for 159 in the first innings and 133 in the second to win by an innings and 360 runs.
Lowest team total: Pakistan were bundled out for 49 against hosts South Africa in 2013, the lowest Test score by any team at The Wanderers Stadium. Dale Steyn was the wrecker-in-chief for the Proteas side as he bagged six wickets for just eight runs. South Africa won the Test by 211 runs.
Most runs: Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis has scored the most runs at The Wanderers Stadium. The right-handed batter amassed 1148 runs in 18 matches at an average of 39.58 with two centuries and six fifties to his name.
Highest individual score: Former Australia batter Greg Blewett hit the highest individual score at The Wanderers Stadium. Blewett’s knock of 214 in the first 1997 Test against South Africa powered the visitors to a first-innings total of 628/8d after the Proteas piled up 302 runs on the board. The hosts would later be dismissed for 130 in the second innings.
Most wickets: Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock have bagged the most wickets at The Wanderers Stadium. While Ntini picked 53 wickets in 10 matches, Pollock claimed as many victims in 13 games.
Best bowling figures: Former South Africa cricketer Hugh Tayfield has the best bowling figures at this venue. The right-arm off-break bowler scalped nine wickets for 113 runs against England in 1957.
Highest partnership: Steve Waugh and Greg Blewett stitched the highest partnership for any wicket at The Wanderers Stadium. The pair’s 385-run stand for the fifth wicket propelled the Aussies to defeat South Africa by an innings and 196 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the 1997 Test series.
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Featured photo: STR / AFP
