The Kingsmead Cricket Ground is one of the oldest cricket grounds located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
Renowned as a seamers wicket, the Kingsmead Cricket Ground has a seating capacity of 25,000, including traditional grass banks and high modern stands.
The Kingsmead Cricket Ground staged its first international cricket match, a Test played between hosts South Africa and England in January 1923.
Since then, the venue has hosted more than 100 international matches including 45 Test matches, 47 ODIs and 19 T20Is so far.
Located near the ocean in central Durban, the ground has witnessed several batting collapses in matches in the past.
With that being said, let’s have a look at Kingsmead Cricket Ground Test records and stats.
Kingsmead Cricket Ground Test records and stats
Highest total
The South Africa cricket team recorded the highest total at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Test cricket. During the second Test of West Indies’ tour of South Africa in 2003, the Graeme Smith-led hosts posted a mammoth total of 658/9d after bundling out the visitors for 264 in their first innings in Durban. Centuries from Jacques Kallis (177), Herschelle Gibbs (142) and Gary Kirsten (137) helped South Africa register a record Test total at the venue. The hosts later bowled out West Indies for 329 in their second innings to win the Test by an innings and 65 runs. South Africa later clinched the four-match Test series 3-0.
Lowest total
The Bangladesh cricket team registered the lowest total at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Test cricket. Chasing 274 in the fourth innings, Bangladesh were bundled out for 53 in 19 overs against South Africa in the first Test of a two-match series in April 2022. Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored for Bangladesh with 26 while Taskin Ahmed (14) was the only other batter to reach double digits in their second innings in Durban. For South Africa, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was the wrecker-in-chief with figures of 7/32. Earlier, South Africa posted 367 in their first innings and later bowled out Bangladesh for 298. Later in their second innings, the hosts were skitted out for 204 to set up a target of 274 for Bangladesh. South Africa won the Test by a massive 220 runs and claimed the two-match series 2-0.
Most runs
Legendary South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis scored the most runs at this ground in cricket’s longest format in Durban. Between 1995 and 2013, Jacques Kallis amassed 1,266 runs in 16 Test matches at an impressive average of 50.64. The right-handed batter slammed five centuries and as many fifties at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Test cricket. His former teammate Gary Kirsten features second on the list with 1,048 runs in 11 matches at an average of 65.50 with three hundreds and four half-centuries to his name.
Most wickets
Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn picked up the most wickets at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Test cricket. The legendary right-arm pacer bagged 50 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 21.70 between 2004 and 2019. He claimed two four-wicket hauls and four fifers at this venue in Tests in Durban. Former South Africa cricket team captain Shaun Pollock is second on the list with 44 wickets in 12 Tests at an average of 21.79.
Highest individual score
Former South Africa cricketer Gary Kirsten registered the highest individual score at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Tests. Opening the batting, Gary Kirsten scored 275 in the second innings after England enforced a follow-on in the third Test of a five-match series in Durban in December 1999. Kirsten’s magnificent double century was laced with 26 fours to help South Africa salvage a draw. Earlier, England posted 366/9d in their first innings and later bowled out South Africa for 156. The hosts won the five-match Test series 2-1.
Best bowling figures in an innings
South Africa’s Hugh Tayfield recorded the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test at this venue in January 1957. The former right-arm off-spinner registered brilliant figures of 8/69 to help bowl out England for 254 in their second innings. Hugh Tayfield dismissed Trevor Bailey, Denis Compton, captain Peter May, wicketkeeper-batter Godfrey Evans, Johnny Wardle, Jim Laker, Peter Loader and Brian Statham. Despite Hugh Tayfield’s sensational bowling spell, the Durban Test ended in a draw.
Best bowling figures in a match
Former Australia cricketer Clarrie Grimmett holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban. He took 13 wickets during the fifth Test of Australia’s tour of South Africa in 1936. While Grimmett bagged seven wickets for 100 runs in the first innings, he scalped six wickets for 73 runs in the second innings. Grimmett’s incredible bowling performance helped Australia win the Test by an innings and six runs.
Highest partnership
England’s Paul Gibb and Bill Edrich recorded the highest partnership at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Test cricket. During the fifth Test of England’s tour of South Africa in March 1939, Paul Gibb and Bill Edrich forged a massive 280-run stand for the second wicket in their second innings to almost pull off an incredible win. Opening the innings, Paul Gibb scored 120 while Bill Edrich slammed 219 batting at No.3. Earlier, South Africa posted 530 in their first innings before bowling out England for 316. While South Africa managed 481 in their second innings, England were 654/5 while chasing 696 when rain played spoilsport.
Photo credit: Imago
