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The Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein is among a list of eye-catching cricket stadiums in South Africa. It has a typical Protean stadium design, consisting of two large stands and plenty of grass banks on the oval.

Established in 1989, the Mangaung Oval has a capacity of 20,000 spectators. The first international cricket match at the venue was a One-Day International (ODI) between India and South Africa, where the hosts clinched an eight-wicket victory. 

So far, 31 ODIs have been played at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. The team batting first have won 13, while the team batting second have won 16. The hosts South Africa have secured 16 victories in 24 matches in the 50-over format here.

The Mangaung Oval witnessed Colin Ingram score his maiden ODI century in his first match, making him the first South African to smash a ton on ODI debut. Former Proteas bowler Allan Donald, the local hero at Bloemfontein, became the first South African to scalp 300 Test wickets. He achieved the feat playing at the Mangaung Oval against New Zealand.

Let us glance through the ODI records at the Mangaung Oval.

Mangaung Oval Bloemfontein ODI records

Highest team total

England hold the record for the highest team total in ODIs at the Mangaung Oval. Courtesy of Jos Buttler’s 76-ball 105, the visitors smashed 399/9 against South Africa in February 2016.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s highest score here is 351/6, achieved against Zimbabwe in October 2010. Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla scored centuries to set up a 64-run victory for the hosts. The Proteas have registered four 300-plus totals so far at the venue.

Lowest team total

Zimbabwe were bowled out for 78 in October 2018 against South Africa, which is the lowest team total at this ground. In a run chase of 199, the Chevrons faltered due to Imran Tahir’s mesmerising spell of 6/24.

Kenya are the other team with a double-digit total here. Ajit Agarkar’s four-for, with able support from Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath, helped India bundle out the Kenyan team for 90 in 37.1 overs.

Most runs

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis has scored the most ODI runs at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. The former all-rounder made 377 runs, including three fifties, in 12 matches at an average of 34.27.

Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hudson and Sanath Jayasuriya are other cricketers with 300-plus runs in this format at the stadium. Jayasuriya, in fact, is the only non-South African in the top 10.

Most wickets

Former South African captain Shaun Pollock has picked up the most wickets in One Day Internationals at this ground. In only 13 matches, Pollock scalped 21 wickets at a miserly economy rate of 3.84 and best bowling figures of 3/21 in this format.

Jacques Kallis and Lance Klusener rank second and third with 12 and 10 ODI wickets at this venue respectively. 

Highest individual score

Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor boasts the highest individual score at the Mangaung Oval, smashing 145 off 136 against South Africa in October 2010. The flamboyant knock included 12 fours. However, despite his exploits, Zimbabwe fell short of the target of 352.

Quinton de Kock, Janneman Malan, Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla headline are the top South Africans with ODI centuries at the venue. De Kock’s unbeaten 138 against England in February 2016 is the highest score here by a Protea cricketer.  

Best bowling figures

While Imran Tahir and Lungi Ngidi have both picked up six-wicket hauls in ODIs here, Tahir’s more economical spell earns him the top spot. The leg-spinner dismantled Zimbabwe for the lowest team total at the Mangaung Oval with his 6/24.

Ngidi, meanwhile, finished with 6/58 against Australia in March 2020, helping the Proteas win by six wickets.

Highest partnership

Netherlands’ pair of Feiko Kloppenburg and Klaas-Jan van Noortwijk have the only 200-plus stand in ODIs here. With a partnership of 228 runs for the second wicket in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup against Namibia, the Dutch duo hold the record for the highest partnership at this ground. 

On the other hand, Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla stitched together 136 runs against Zimbabwe in October 2010 to make it the highest partnership by a South African pair in ODIs at the Mangaung Oval.

Average first innings score

The average first innings score in the 31 ODIs at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein is 239. 

Meanwhile, the average second innings score is 196.

 

Photo credits: Alamy

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