Buffalo Park, located in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa, has been hosting One-Day International (ODI) matches for the past three decades. It can hold around 15,000 spectators and is one of the happy hunting grounds for the Proteas. 

The first ODI match at Buffalo Park was played between South Africa and India on December 19, 1992. Put into bat first, South Africa scored 203/8 in their 50 overs. However, in reply, an unbeaten 84 from 98 balls from Praveen Ambre took India over the line with five wickets and 16 balls to spare.

A total of 22 ODIs have been played at Buffalo Park between 1992 to 2017. Sides batting first have won 10 matches while 12 matches have been won by the chasing sides. Meanwhile, South Africa has played 18 matches on the ground and emerged triumphant on 14 occasions.

Here’s a look at all the ODI records at Buffalo Park, South Africa

Buffalo Park ODI records

Most runs

Legendary South African all-rounder Jack Kallis has scored the most runs in ODIs at Buffalo Park. From 13 innings, Kallis scored 409 runs at an average of 34.08 and had a top score of 63 at this venue. He scored a total of three half-centuries on this ground. 

Most wickets

South African seamer Shaun Pollock, with 19 wickets from 12 innings at Buffalo Park at an average of 19.26, made life difficult for batters from opposition teams on this ground. He took his wickets at a fine economy of 3.21 runs per over and his career-best figures of 6/35 against West Indies in 1999 also came at the same ground. Pollock’s 6/35 is also the best individual bowling performance at Buffalo Park.

Highest individual score

West Indian southpaw Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored a match-winning 150 from 136 balls and helped the Carribean side recover from 46/3 to 292/9 against South Africa in 1999. He holds the record for the highest individual score at Buffalo Park in ODI cricket and helped his team win the match by 43 runs. 

Highest team total

South Africa smashed the highest team total at Buffalo Park. During the third ODI match against Bangladesh in the 2017 series between the teams, South Africa scored 369/6 batting first and bundled out Bangladesh for a paltry 169. Captain Faf du Plessis top-scored with 91 not out from 67 balls while Quinton de Kock (73) and Aiden Markram (66) also made impressive fifties. 

Lowest team total

In a low-scoring affair in January 1996, South Africa launched an impressive comeback to bowl out England for 115 after putting on just 129 on board. Paul Adams starred for the Proteas with 3/29 in nine overs. 

Highest partnership  

The Windies’ duo of Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul stitched together the highest partnership on this ground. During the second match of their 1999 series against South Africa, West Indies were reeling at 46/3 after nine overs when Carl Hooper walked in to join Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the crease. They stitched a 226-run stand for the fourth wicket to help their team reach 292/9 in 50 overs. Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored 150 from 136 balls and won the Player of the Match award while Carl Hooper scored 108 from 119. West Indies won the match by 43 runs.