Cricket Stadiums in South Africa
Having made its debut in cricket back in 1888, South Africa’s love for cricket isn’t an unknown fact. Having hosted England for the first time in 1888-89, South Africa was slowly stepping its foot in International cricket and gained quite a lot of experience playing against the big countries in Australia and England.
The International ban imposed by ICC owing to Country’s apartheid policy, however, led to a fall before they made a comeback in 1992. Nonetheless, South Africa, today, is counted amongst the most fierce cricket teams in the world.
In this article, we look at 5 most popular cricket stadiums in South Africa:
#1. Kingsmead Cricket Ground
Boasting of a seating capacity of 25,000 spectators, Kingsmead Cricket Ground is located in Durban, South Africa.
The Kingsmead cricket stadium in South Africa hosted its first one-day international match in December 1992, while the first test match was played in 1923 between South Africa and England.
The stadium is fondly known for hosting the first match for South African Cricket team after its readmission into international cricket. It also hosted the same-final game of the 2003 World Cup between India and Kenya.
The stadium plays host in all three formats and so far has hosted 44 test matches, 47 one-day internationals and 15 T20 internationals.
The ground is also known for witnessing Yuvraj Singh’s famous record of hitting six sixes in six balls to Stuart Broad in 2007 T20 World Cup.
#2. Sahara Oval St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
Sahara Oval St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth is the first ground to a host a test match in South Africa. One of the oldest cricket grounds, St. George’s Park cricket stadium in South Africa has a seating capacity of 19,000 people.
The ground played host in as many as five games in 2003 World Cup, including a semi-final.
St. George’s Cricket Stadium in South Africa hosted its first test match in 1889 between South Africa and England. Three years later, the first ODI was played at this very ground between South Africa and India.
#3. Buffalo Park, East London
Having much smaller dimensions as compared to other cricket grounds, Buffalo Park is still one of the beautiful cricket grounds you will ever see.
Waqar Younis picked a famous hat-trick at this ground, while the West Indies duo of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper put on a record 226-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Buffalo Park cricket stadium in South Africa staged its first-ever test match in October 2002 between South Africa and Bangladesh.
The first ODI was held much earlier in 1992. India and South Africa participated, with India proving victorious in the match.
#4. Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town
Counted amongst the most picturesque venues, Sahara Cricket Ground is surrounded by clouds and mountains and trees with an overall fantastic atmosphere.
Newlands hosted the very first one-day international in 1992 where Hansie Cronje captured 5 for 32 to get South Africa a six-wicket win over India. Over a hundred years ago before this, Newlands became an international Test cricket ground, hosting the first test between England and South Africa in March 1889.
South African cricket fanatics rejoice that the ground has always been fair to the national side in limited-overs international matches.
Sahara Park cricket stadium in South Africa has a seating capacity of 25,000 spectators.
#5. Supersport Park, Centurion
Arguably, South Africa’s best cricket ground, the SuperSport Park has been host to some of the most stellar games in world cricket. It has a seating capacity of 20,000 spectators.
The ground hosted its first one-day international in December 1992. India crushed South Africa in that game, winning by 4 wickets. The first test match was played in 1995 between South Africa and England. The match resulted in a tie.
The Supersport Park cricket stadiums in South Africa has hosted five World Cup matches in 2003, including two Super Six clashes.
