St. George's Park is one of the oldest cricket grounds located in Gqeberha, South Africa.
Previously named Port Elizabeth, Gqeberha hosted the first Test to be played outside England or Australia in March 1889. England won the Test by eight wickets.
Situated within sight of the ocean, St. George's Park is popular for its brass band that plays during matches.
The iconic ground is home of the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, one of the oldest cricket clubs in South Africa, the Eastern Province Club and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
St George's Park later staged its first one-day international (ODI) between South Africa and India in December 1992. Led by captain Kepler Wessels, South Africa won the first-ever ODI at the venue by six wickets.
It has also hosted four T20I matches since the first T20 international played at the venue in December 2007.
It was selected as one of the 15 venues to host the ICC ODI World Cup in 2003. It hosted five matches during the marquee ICC tournament including three group matches, one super six game and one semi-final. Since then, it has staged more than 40 ODI matches so far. Let’s have a look at St. George's Park ODI records and stats:
St George's Park ODI records and stats
Highest team total
The Pakistan cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at the St. George's Park in ODI cricket. During the second ODI of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in 2002, the Waqar Younis-led side posted a huge total of 335/6 in their 50 overs. Opening batter Saleem Elahi slammed 135 off 129 balls while Abdul Razzaq scored 112 to help Pakistan register a record ODI total at the venue. Pakistan later bowled out South Africa for 153 in 29 overs to secure a massive 182-run victory in Gqeberha. Despite Pakistan’s win in the second ODI, South Africa clinched the five-match series 4-1.
Lowest team total
The New Zealand cricket team recorded the lowest team total at St. George's Park in the ODI format. Chasing 209 against Australia during an ICC World Cup clash in 2003, New Zealand were bundled out for 112 in 30.1 overs. Captain Stephen Fleming top-scored for the Kiwis with 48. For Australia, pacer Brett Lee was the wrecker-in-chief as he picked five wickets for 42 runs in his 9.1 overs. Earlier, fifties from Andy Bichel (64) and Michael Bevan (56) powered Australia to 208/9 in their allotted 50 overs. The Ricky Ponting-led Australia won the match by 96 runs.
Most runs
Former South Africa cricketer Jacques Kallis holds the record for the most runs at this venue in ODI cricket. Between 1996 and 2013, the stylish right-handed batter amassed 670 runs in 18 matches at an average of 47.85. He slammed one hundred and five fifties in the ODI format on this ground. Another South Africa batter Herschelle Gibbs is second on the list with 642 runs in 15 ODI matches on this ground.
Most wickets
Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock bagged the most wickets at St. George's Park in ODI cricket. The former right-arm fast bowler picked up 20 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 27.25 and an economy of 3.56. He registered best bowling figures of 4/26 on this ground in the ODI format. Compatriot Makhaya Ntini features second on the list with 16 wickets in nine ODIs.
Highest individual score
Pakistan’s Saleem Elahi registered the highest individual score at this venue in the ODI format. The former right-handed batter scored 135 off 129 balls during the second ODI of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in 2002. Saleem Elahi’s scintillating knock helped the visitors post 335/6 in their 50 overs. His knock was laced with 19 fours. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 153 as the visitors won the game by 182 runs.
Best bowling figures
Former Australia cricketer Andy Bichel recorded the best bowling figures at St. George's Park in ODI cricket. Andy Bichel’s registered magnificent figures of 7/20
against arch-rivals England during an ICC World Cup clash in 2003. Bichel dismissed Nick Knight, Michael Vaughan, captain Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff and Ashley Giles to restrict England to 204/8 in their 50 overs. Australia later chased down the target in 49.4 overs to register a thrilling two-wicket win in Gqeberha.
Highest partnership
Pakistan’s Saleem Elahi and Abdul Razzaq hold the record for the highest partnership at St. George's Park in the ODI format. Saleem Elahi and Abdul Razzaq forged a 257-run partnership for the second wicket against South Africa in the second ODI in 2002. Elahi scored 135 while Razzaq hammered 112 to power Pakistan to 335/6 in their 50 overs. The visitors won the match by 182 runs.
Photo credit: Alamy
