The New Wanderers Stadium, also known as Kent Park is a cricket venue in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

It is also the home ground for the Highveld Lions, formerly known as Gauteng, and SA20 outfit, the Joburg Super Kings.

The first international game at the ground was hosted in 1956 when England won the Test match against South Africa by 131 runs and it has gone on to witness numerous memorable moments.

The New Wanderers Stadium later staged its first ODI match between hosts South Africa and India in December 1992. South Africa won the match by six wickets.

Known as the 'Bullring' because of its intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams the Wanderers has also hosted the World Cup Final in 2003, when Australia recorded a massive victory over India.

In March 2006, it witnessed the most extraordinary one-day match in history, when South Africa successfully chased Australia's world-record total of 434/4.

New Wanderers stadium has a seating capacity of 28,000. To date, the cricket ground has hosted more than 50 ODIs. Let’s have a closer look at the New Wanderers Stadium ODI records and stats.

New Wanderers Stadium ODI records and Stats

Most runs

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers holds the record for scoring the most runs at the New Wanderers Stadium in ODI cricket. The Pretoria-born batter amassed 732 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 91.50.

The right-handed batter smacked three ODI hundreds and as many fifties at the Wanderers Stadium, with his highest score being a record-breaking 149 off 44 balls against West Indies in 2015.  

Most wickets

South Africa Legend Shaun Pollock has the record for the most ODI wickets at the New Wanderers stadium. The medium pacer scalped 29 wickets in 16 innings at an economy of 3.69. 

In 2000, Pollock returned with 5/20 against England, making it his best ODI figures at the venue. 

Highest individual score

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman holds the record for registering the highest individual score at the New Wanderers Stadium. The swashbuckling left-hander smashed 193 off 155 balls during the second ODI of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in 2021.

Striking at over 120, Fakhar’s match-winning knock included 18 fours and 10 towering sixes. Despite Fakhar’s heroics, Proteas won the game by 17 runs to level the three-match series 1-1. His knock is also currently one of the highest individual scores in ODIs. 

Best bowling figures

South Africa pacer Shaun Pollock’s 5/20 against England is the best bowling figures recorded at this iconic venue in ODI format. The former South Africa pacer picked up five wickets for 20 runs from his nine overs in the final of the Triangular Tournament in 2000. Pollock’s brilliant spell helped South Africa win the game by 38 runs as they successfully defended a below-par total of 149.

Highest team total

South Africa rode on centuries from Hashim Amla (153 not out), Rilee Rossouw (128), and AB de Villiers (149) to post a mammoth total of 439/2 against West Indies at the New Wanderers in 2015. It is the highest team total in ODIs at this venue and helped the hosts win the second ODI by 148 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.

Lowest team total

In the second final of the Mandela Trophy 1995, Pakistan were bundled out for 109 runs by South Africa. Three-wicket hauls from Allan Donald and Fanie de Villiers reduced the visitors to a subpar total.

This is the lowest team total in ODIs at the New Wanderers and South Africa went on to win the game by 157 runs with almost 17 overs to spare.

Highest partnership

South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw and Hashim Amla added 247 runs for the opening wicket against West Indies in the second ODI of the West Indies tour of South Africa in 2014-15. 

This remains only the third instance when a batting pair scored 200 or more ODI runs together at the venue. The South African top-order forged a record total against the visitors to post 439/2. The hosts won the game by 148 runs.

Photo credit: Alamy

Related tags:

South AfricaPakistanAB de VilliersFakhar Zaman