The Sydney Cricket Ground is a multi-sport stadium situated in the capital city of the state of New South Wales, which is the most populous city in Australia.
Owned and operated by the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust, the 48,000-capacity stadium is home to the New South Wales cricket team, which is one of the most successful teams in Australia’s First-Class domestic circuit. The SCG is also home to three-time Big Bash League champions Sydney Sixers.
Unlike other cricket stadiums in Australia, which are known for their pacy and bouncy nature, the Sydney Cricket Ground has one of the most spin-friendly wickets in the country.
The SCG hosted its first-ever international cricket game in February 1882, which was a Test match between Australia and England. The right-arm off-break bowler Joey Palmer bagged 11 wickets in that contest to guide the hosts to a memorable win.
Interestingly, the first ODI match was also played between Australia and England in January 1979, which unfortunately ended in no result.
Here’s a look at the T20I records at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Sydney Cricket Ground T20I records
Highest total: The highest total in a T20I match at the Sydney Cricket Ground is 221/5 made by Australia in the only T20I of the England Tour of Australia 2006/07. Interestingly, it was the first ever T20I played on this ground. A total of six players, three each from both teams, made their international debut in the 20-over format.
Wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist, skipper Ricky Ponting, all-rounder Andrew Symonds and debutant Cameron White played some attacking cricket to propel their team to the mammoth total. In reply, England could only score 144/9 from their quota of 20 overs, facing a 77-run defeat in the process.
Lowest total: The lowest total recorded in a T20I match at the SCG is 101/10 made by Bangladesh against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 game. The Proteas' bowling duo Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi grabbed seven wickets between them to bowl their opponents out in a huge chase of 206 runs before winning the encounter comfortably by 104 runs.
Highest individual score: Australia all-rounder Shane Watson holds the record for the highest individual score in a T20I at this stadium. He smashed a 71-ball 124* against the Indian team in the third T20I of the India tour of Australia in 2016. The knock, played at a brilliant strike rate of 174.64, featured 10 fours and six maximums. Furthermore, it remains the only international century to be scored at the SCG in the shortest format of the game.
However, Watson’s superb efforts went in vain as Team India emerged victorious by seven wickets. Veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli scored half-centuries in the match-winning chase.
Best bowling: South Africa pacer Anrich Nortje holds the record for best bowling figures in a T20I match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. In the Super 12 match of the T20 World Cup 2022 against Bangladesh, the Proteas posted a total of 205/5 courtesy Rilee Rossouw’s dominating 56-ball 109.
In reply, Bangladesh could only score 101/10 in 16.3 overs as their batters were no match to Nortje’s lethal spell of 4/10. In the end, South Africa won it convincingly by 104 runs.
Highest partnership: The South African pair of Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw holds the record for the highest partnership of 168 runs at the SCG. It is also the highest partnership recorded in T20 World Cup history.
In the Super 12 match of the T20 World Cup 2022 against Bangladesh, the Proteas posted a total of 205/5 in 20 overs thanks to a massive second wicket stand between the two batters.
Chasing a daunting target of 206 runs, Bangladesh were bowled out for 101 to hand South Africa a 104-run victory.
Featured photo: Saeed KHAN / AFP
