The Kingsmead Cricket Ground is one of the oldest cricket grounds located in  Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Renowned as a seamers wicket, the Kingsmead Cricket Ground has a seating capacity of 25,000, including traditional grass banks and high modern stands.

The Kingsmead Cricket Ground staged its first international cricket match, a Test played between hosts South Africa and England in January 1923.

Since then, the venue has hosted more than 100 international matches including 45 Test matches, 47 ODIs and 19 T20Is so far.

Located near the ocean in central Durban, the ground has witnessed several batting collapses in matches in the past. 

With that being said, let’s have a look at Kingsmead Cricket Ground Test records and stats.

Kingsmead Cricket Ground Test records and stats

Highest total

The South Africa cricket team recorded the highest total at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Test cricket. During the second Test of West Indies�?tour of South Africa in 2003, the Graeme Smith-led hosts posted a mammoth total of 658/9d after bundling out the visitors for 264 in their first innings in Durban. Centuries from Jacques Kallis (177), Herschelle Gibbs (142) and Gary Kirsten (137) helped South Africa register a record Test total at the venue. The hosts later bowled out West Indies for 329 in their second innings to win the Test by an innings and 65 runs. South Africa later clinched the four-match Test series 3-0.

Lowest total

The Bangladesh cricket team registered the lowest total at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Test cricket. Chasing 274 in the fourth innings, Bangladesh were bundled out for 53 in 19 overs against South Africa in the first Test of a two-match series in April 2022. Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored for Bangladesh with 26 while Taskin Ahmed (14) was the only other batter to reach double digits in their second innings in Durban. For South Africa, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was the wrecker-in-chief with figures of 7/32. Earlier, South Africa posted 367 in their first innings and later bowled out Bangladesh for 298. Later in their second innings, the hosts were skitted out for 204 to set up a target of 274 for Bangladesh. South Africa won the Test by a massive 220 runs and claimed the two-match series 2-0.

Most runs

Legendary South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis scored the most runs at this ground in cricket’s longest format in Durban. Between 1995 and 2013, Jacques Kallis amassed 1,266 runs in 16 Test matches at an impressive average of 50.64. The right-handed batter slammed five centuries and as many fifties at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Test cricket. His former teammate Gary Kirsten features second on the list with 1,048 runs in 11 matches at an average of 65.50 with three hundreds and four half-centuries to his name.

Most wickets

Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn picked up the most wickets at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Test cricket. The legendary right-arm pacer bagged 50 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 21.70 between 2004 and 2019. He claimed two four-wicket hauls and four fifers at this venue in Tests in Durban. Former South Africa cricket team captain Shaun Pollock is second on the list with 44 wickets in 12 Tests at an average of 21.79.

Highest individual score

Former South Africa cricketer Gary Kirsten registered the highest individual score at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Tests. Opening the batting, Gary Kirsten scored 275 in the second innings after England enforced a follow-on in the third Test of a five-match series in Durban in December 1999.  Kirsten’s magnificent double century was laced with 26 fours to help South Africa salvage a draw. Earlier, England posted 366/9d in their first innings and later bowled out South Africa for 156. The hosts won the five-match Test series 2-1.

Best bowling figures in an innings

South Africa’s Hugh Tayfield recorded the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test at this venue in January 1957. The former right-arm off-spinner registered brilliant figures of 8/69 to help bowl out England for 254 in their second innings. Hugh Tayfield dismissed Trevor Bailey, Denis Compton, captain Peter May, wicketkeeper-batter Godfrey Evans, Johnny Wardle, Jim Laker, Peter Loader and Brian Statham. Despite Hugh Tayfield’s sensational bowling spell, the Durban Test ended in a draw. 

Best bowling figures in a match

Former Australia cricketer Clarrie Grimmett holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban. He took 13 wickets during the fifth Test of Australia’s tour of South Africa in 1936. While Grimmett bagged seven wickets for 100 runs in the first innings, he scalped six wickets for 73 runs in the second innings. Grimmett’s incredible bowling performance helped Australia win the Test by an innings and six runs.

Highest partnership

England’s Paul Gibb and Bill Edrich recorded the highest partnership at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Test cricket. During the fifth Test of England’s tour of South Africa in March 1939, Paul Gibb and Bill Edrich forged a massive 280-run stand for the second wicket in their second innings to almost pull off an incredible win. Opening the innings, Paul Gibb scored 120 while Bill Edrich slammed 219 batting at No.3. Earlier, South Africa posted 530 in their first innings before bowling out England for 316. While South Africa managed 481 in their second innings, England were 654/5 while chasing 696 when rain played spoilsport.

Photo credit: Imago

The inaugural International Masters League will start on November 17 and run till December 8. 

As many as six renowned cricket nations will compete in a total of 18 T20 matches in the first edition of the International Masters League.

Australia Masters, England Masters, India Masters, South Africa Masters, Sri Lanka Masters and West Indies Masters are the names of the six teams representing the six cricketing nations in the International Masters League 2024.

As per the IMLT20 2024 schedule, each team will play the other five sides once in a single round-robin format. The top four teams in the standings after all the league matches will qualify for the IMLT20 2024 semi-finals. 

The International Masters League 2024 final is scheduled to be played on December 8.

The opening four matches of the IML T20 2024 will be held at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai from November 17-20.

The second leg of the upcoming T20 tournament will be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow from November 21-27.

The final eight matches of the tournament including two semi-finals and the final will be staged at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur from November 28 to December 8.

Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar has been appointed the captain of India Masters while Brian Lara will lead West Indies Masters.

England Masters will be led by Eoin Morgan while former all-rounder Shane Watson will lead Australia Masters.

Legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis has been given the responsibility of captaining South Africa Masters while Sri Lanka Masters will be led by Kumar Sangakkara.

League Commissioner Sunil Gavaskar said, “Stalwarts from every country will be playing the International Masters League. For them, it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their skills and show the world that they are still very good. 

“These guys don’t know what it is to take it easy. It is going to be an exciting league, with close contests. I am sure it will be worth a treat for all those who come to the ground and watch on the television,�?Gavaskar added.

International Masters League: IML T20 2024 schedule and live match start times

All match times are in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date	Match	Venue	Time (IST)
Sunday, November 17	India Masters vs Sri Lanka Masters	Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai	7:30 PM
Monday, November 18	Australia Masters vs South Africa Masters	Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai	7:30 PM
Tuesday, November 19	Sri Lanka Masters vs England Masters	Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai	7:30 PM
Wednesday, November 20	West Indies Masters vs Australia Masters	Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai	7:30 PM
Thursday, November 21	India Masters vs South Africa Masters	Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow	7:30 PM
Saturday, November 23	South Africa Masters vs England Masters	Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow	7:30 PM
Sunday, November 24	India Masters vs Australia Masters	Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow	7:30 PM
Monday, November 25	West Indies Masters vs Sri Lanka Masters	Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow	7:30 PM
Tuesday, November 26	England Masters vs Australia Masters	Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow	7:30 PM
Wednesday, November 27	West Indies Masters vs South Africa Masters	Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow	7:30 PM
Thursday, November 28	India Masters vs England Masters	Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur	7:30 PM
Saturday, November 30	Sri Lanka Masters vs South Africa Masters	Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur	7:30 PM
Sunday, December 1	India Masters vs West Indies Masters	Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur	7:30 PM
Monday, December 2	Sri Lanka Masters vs Australia Masters	Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur	7:30 PM
Tuesday, December 3	West Indies Masters vs England Masters	Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur	7:30 PM
Thursday, December 5	Semi-final 1	Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur	7:30 PM
Friday, December 6	Semi-final 1	Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur	7:30 PM
Sunday, December 8	International Masters League final	Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur	7:30 PM

Photo credit: Imago

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs in Test, having scored 15,921 runs in a record 200 Tests.

The legendary cricketer, who made his Test debut in 1989 against Pakistan, slammed 51 centuries and 68 fifties in his 24-year career and holds a multitude of records, one being most centuries in the longest format.

If there is something that eluded Tendulkar, it is a triple ton in red-ball cricket as his highest score was an unbeaten 248 against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2004.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting comes in second on the list for most runs in Test. The most successful ODI captain of all time, Ponting hit 13,378 runs in 168 matches and is the only player to finish with most Test runs in a calendar year twice.

Legendary South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis amassed 13,289 Test runs in 166 matches, thus sits third for most runs in Test. Kallis has hit the second-most Test centuries in red-ball cricket and is also remembered as one of the leading six-hitting machines in the format.

Rahul Dravid and Alastair Cook round up the top five list for most runs in Test.

Dravid, for one, scored 13,288 Test runs in 164 matches at an average of 52.31 and holds the record for most balls faced in Tests. In his 16-year Test career, ‘The Wall�?hit 36 hundreds and 63 half-centuries.

Alastair Cook, meanwhile, is England’s record Test run-getter with 12,472 runs in 161 Tests and the most successful left-handed batter in Tests.

Among active cricketers, England’s Joe Root has registered the most runs in Test. The England cricket team skipper has 12,274 runs in 145 matches.

Most runs in Test

Player	Team	Career span	Matches	Runs	Average	High score	100s	50s
Sachin Tendulkar	India	1989-2013	200	15,921	53.78	248*	51	68
Ricky Ponting	Australia	1995-2012	168	13,378	51.85	257	41	62
Jacques Kallis	South Africa	1995-2013	166	13,289	55.37	244	45	58
Rahul Dravid	India	1996-2012	164	13,288	52.31	270	36	63
Alastair Cook	England	2006-2018	161	12,472	45.35	294	33	57

 

Featured photo: AFP /  DESHAKALYAN CHOWDHURY

The record for the fastest fifty in cricket history is held by Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee, who smashed a nine-ball half-century against Mongolia in the 2023 Asian Games. His knock helped set up a 273-run win for Nepal.

Ashutosh Sharma from Railways hit the second-fastest fifty in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023. Playing against Arunachal Pradesh, Ashutosh achieved the record in 11 balls. 

Meanwhile, the record for the third fastest fifty in cricket history by balls faced is 12 deliveries, and five cricketers have achieved the feat to date.

Among the five, Yuvraj Singh is the only Indian to feature as the quickest half-centurion in cricket history.

Here we take a look at the record batters who have scored the fastest fifty in cricket history.

Fastest fifty in cricket history

Player	Balls faced	Year	Format
Dipendra Singh Airee	9	2023	T20
Ashutosh Sharma	11	2023	T20
Yuvraj Singh	12	2007	T20
Wayne White	12	2012	First-Class
Chris Gayle	12	2016	T20
Hazratullah Zazai	12	2018	T20

Fastest fifty in First-Class cricket

Wayne White is the record holder for the fastest fifty in First-Class cricket, having hit an unbeaten 12-ball 50 against Essex in 2012.

After playing out a knock of 53 runs in 111 deliveries in the first innings of the 2012 County Championship Division 2 match, White raced to his half-century in the second innings in record time.

His knock was infused with four boundaries and four sixes as he helped Leicestershire give Essex a target of 270 runs to chase. The match was eventually drawn.

Player	Team	Opponent	Balls faced	Year
Wayne White	Leicestershire	Essex	12	2012
Michael van Vuuren	Eastern Province ‘B�?/span>	Griqualand West	13	1985
Ned Eckersley	Leicestershire	Essex	14	2012
Khalil Mahmood	Gujranwala	Sargodha	15	2000
Bandeep Singh	Jammu and Kashmir	Tripura	15	2015

The same match would see Wayne White’s team-mate Ned Eckersley hit a 14-ball fifty and remain unbeaten with a 19-ball 70 alongside White.

Meanwhile, in India, Bandeep Singh scripted a historic record of his own in 2015. Representing Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy match against Tripura, Bandeep smashed a 15-ball 50 to help his side set a target of 368 to win the match.

Bandeep Singh’s knock still stands as the fastest fifty in Ranji Trophy history. To know about Ranji Trophy records, click here.

Fastest fifty in Test cricket

In the international format, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq holds the record for the fastest fifty in Test cricket.

Misbah took a record 24 minutes to reach his Test half-century in the 2014 Pakistan vs Australia Test in Abu Dhabi and broke the previous record held by Jacques Kallis in 2009 against Zimbabwe.

Player	Team	Opponent	Balls faced	Year
Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	Australia	21	2014
David Warner	Australia	Griqualand West	23	2017
Jacques Kallis	South Africa	Essex	24	2005
Shane Shillingford	West Indies	New Zealand	25	2014
Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	India	26	2005

Rishabh Pant holds the record for India with a 28-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in 2022.

Fastest fifty in List A cricket

Kaushalya Weeraratne is credited as the player to score the fastest fifty in List A cricket, with his 12-ball effort coming in a List A game for Ragama Cricket Club against Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club in the 2005 Premier Limited Over Tournament.

The Sri Lankan all-rounder remained unbeaten on 66 runs off 18 balls as his knock, which included two fours and eight sixes, propelled Ragama to 219/5. The match eventually finished without a result.

Player	Team	Opponent	Balls faced	Year
Kaushalya Weeraratne	Ragama Cricket Club	Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club	12	2005
Thisara Perera	Sri Lanka Army Sports Club	Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club	13	2021
Rory Kleinveldt	Western Province	KwaZulu-Natal	14	2011
Adam Hollioake	Surrey	Yorkshire	15	1994
Salman Butt	National Bank of Pakistan	Lahore Eagles	15	2005

Baroda’s Atit Sheth hit the fastest fifty in List A cricket during the 2020-21 Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group A match against Chhattisgarh. The then-25-year-old hit seven maximums in his blitzkrieg to drive Baroda to a match-winning score of 332/6.

Fastest fifty in ODIs

AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest fifty in ODIs. The legendary South African batter took just 16 balls to reach his fifty in a 2015 ODI against West Indies and finished his innings with a 44-ball 149 at a rate of 338.63.

Player	Team	Opponent	Balls faced	Year
AB de Villiers	South Africa	West Indies	16	2015
Sanath Jayasuriya	Sri Lanka	Pakistan	17	1996
Kusal Perera	Sri Lanka	Pakistan	17	2015
Martin Guptill	New Zealand	Sri Lanka	17	2015
Liam Livingstone	England	Netherlands	17	2022

Ajit Agarkar hit the fastest fifty in ODIs for the Indian cricket team in 2000. His 21-ball fifty helped India beat Zimbabwe by 39 runs.

Fastest fifty in T20 cricket

As mentioned earlier, the fastest fifty in cricket history record belongs to Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee after he hit a nine-ball half-century against Mongolia in the 2023 Asian Games to set up a 273-run win for his country.

Meanwhile, amongst the many accolades in his career, Yuvraj Singh is fondly remembered as the player with the third fastest fifty in T20 cricket.

The knock came against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Yuvraj smashed three fours and seven sixes in his 16-ball 58, and six of those came off a Stuart Broad over. This made the flamboyant Indian all-rounder the second player in international cricket and the fourth in cricket history to slam six sixes in an over.

Player	Team	Opponent	Balls faced	Year
Dipendra Singh Airee	Nepal	Mongolia	9	2023
Ashutosh Sharma	Railways	Arunachal Pradesh	11	2023
Yuvraj Singh	India	England	12	2007
Chris Gayle	Melbourne Renegades	Adelaide Strikers	12	2016
Hazratullah Zazai	Kabul Zwanan	Balkh Legends	12	2018
Marcus Trescothick	Somerset	Hampshire	13	2010

Yuvraj Singh’s feat, which is a record in the international format, would be matched by Chris Gayle (2016) and Hazratullah Zazai (2018) in 20-over franchise cricket.

While Gayle’s 12-ball fifty came in a Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers match in the 2016 Big Bash League, Zazai achieved the feat in a 2018 Afghanistan Premier League match between Kabul Zwanan and Balkh Legends.

Featured photo: AFP / ALEXANDER JOE

The Newlands Cricket Ground is one of the world’s most beautiful cricket grounds located in Cape Town, South Africa.

Established in 1888, the Newlands is known for being overlooked by Table Mountain and Devil's Peak, two of the prominent sight-seeing landmarks in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa.

Following a string of renovations, the stadium has increased its seating capacity to 25,000.

The Newlands Cricket Ground is the home of Western Province Cricket, Cape Cobras and MI Cape Town. 

Owned by the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA), the Newlands is one of South Africa’s oldest sporting stadiums and staged its first international match, a Test between South Africa and England in 1889. The visitors won the Test by an innings and 202 runs.

Since then, it has hosted 60 Tests, 47 ODIs and 21 T20Is. Let’s have a closer look at the Newlands Test records and stats.

Newlands Test records and stats

Highest total

The South Africa cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Test cricket. During the third Test of Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2009, the hosts posted the highest total of 651 in their first innings at this venue. Centuries from AB de Villiers (163), Ashwell Prince (150) and captain Jacques Kallis (102) powered South Africa to a mammoth total. 

Australia were bundled out for 209 in their first innings after electing to bat first. The Proteas bowled out the visitors for 422 in their second innings to win the Cape Town Test by an innings and 20 runs.

Lowest total

Hosts South Africa recorded the lowest total at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Tests. Chasing 246 in the fourth innings, South Africa were skittled out for 35 in 22.4 overs against England in the final Test of a two-match series in April 1899. 

Opening batter Albert Powell (11) was the only South African batter to register double digits in their second innings. For England, pacer Schofield Haigh was the wrecker-in-chief with six wickets. Earlier, England scored 92 in their first innings after opting to bat first while South Africa managed 177. England were bowled for 330 in their second innings. The visitors won the Test by 210 runs.

Most runs

Legendary South African cricketer Jacques Kallis scored the most runs at this ground in cricket’s longest format. Between 1996 and 2013, the former right-handed batter amassed 2,181 runs in 22 matches at an impressive average of 72.70. Kallis slammed nine centuries and as many fifties at the Newlands in Test cricket. His highest Test score of 224 at the Cape Town cricket ground came against Sri Lanka in 2012. Kallis�?former teammate Graeme Smith features second on the list with 1,363 runs in 17 Tests.

Most wickets

Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn bagged the most wickets at the Newlands in Test cricket. The former right-arm fast bowler picked up 74 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 21.75 and a strike rate of 44.29. Steyn registered eight four-wicket hauls and one fifer at this venue in Tests between 2006 and 2019. Steyn’s former bowling partner Vernon Philander is second on the list with 53 wickets in 11 Tests.

Highest individual score

Former New Zealand cricketer Stephen Fleming registered the highest individual score at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Tests. Batting at number three, captain Stephen Fleming scored 262 off 423 balls in the first innings of the second Test of New Zealand’s tour of South Africa in 2006. His magnificent double hundred was laced with 31 fours and two sixes. Fleming’s innings helped New Zealand post 593/8d. In reply, South Africa scored 512 in their first innings. The visitors were 121/3 in their second innings as the match ended in a draw. South Africa won the three-match Test series 2-0.

Best bowling figures in an innings

England’s Johnny Briggs recorded the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test match at this venue in 1899. The left-arm spinner registered figures of 8/11 to bundle out South Africa for 43 in the second innings. Briggs dismissed Bernard Tancred, Arthur Ochse, Philip Hutchinson, captain William Milton, Dicky Richards, Charles Vintcent, Fred Smith and Gobo Ashley to help South Africa win the Cape Town Test by an innings and 202 runs.

Best bowling figures in a match

Johnny Briggs also holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at the Newlands. The England spinner took 15 wickets during the second Test of England’s tour of South Africa in 1889. While Briggs bagged seven wickets for 17 runs in the first innings, he scalped another eight wickets for just 11 runs in the second innings. Briggs�?incredible bowling performance helped England thrash the hosts by an innings and 202 runs.

Highest partnership

England’s Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow recorded the highest partnership at the Newlands in Test cricket. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow forged a massive 399-run stand for the sixth wicket in the first innings of the second Test against South Africa in 2016. Stokes slammed 258 while Bairstow remained unbeaten on 150. The match ended in a draw.

Photo credit: Alamy

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

Legendary India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar holds the illustrious record for the most fifties in ODI World Cup history. 

Considered to be one of the greatest batters in cricket’s history, Sachin Tendulkar slammed a record 15 half-centuries in ICC 50-over World Cups between 1992 and 2011.

Among active cricketers, Bangladesh cricket team captain Shakib Al Hasan has the most fifties in ODI World Cup history. He features second on the all-time list with 10 fifties to his name.

Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis has the third-most fifties in ODI World Cup history. The right-handed batter registered nine half-centuries in ODI World Cups.

Know the cricketers with most fifties in ODI World Cup history.

Most fifties in ODI World Cup

Player	Team	Span	Matches	Innings	Runs	50s
Sachin Tendulkar	India	1992-2011	45	44	2278	15
Shakib Al Hasan	Bangladesh	2007-2023	32	32	1201	10
Jacques Kallis	South Africa	1996-2011	36	32	1148	9
Virat Kohli	India	2011-2023	29	29	1186	8
Adam Gilchrist	Australia	1999-2007	31	31	1085	8
Javed Miandad	Pakistan	1975-1996	33	30	1083	8
Herschelle Gibbs	South Africa	1999-2007	25	23	1067	8
Mushfiqur Rahim	Bangladesh	2007-2023	32	31	996	8
Steve Smith	Australia	2011-2023	27	23	899	8
Graham Gooch	England	1979-1992	21	21	897	8

Sachin Tendulkar | 15

The 2011 Cricket World Cup winner, Sachin Tendulkar, smashed the most fifties in ODI World Cup history. Having featured in six editions of the ODI World Cup in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, Tendulkar hit 15 fifties in 45 World Cup matches. He also holds the record with most runs in ODI World Cup history, having amassed 2,278 runs in 44 innings at an average of 56.95. The swashbuckling batter also hammered six hundreds in the marquee ICC 50-over World Cups.

Shakib Al Hasan | 10

Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan is second on the most fifties in the ODI World Cup list. Since making his ODI World Cup debut in 2007, Shakib Al Hasan has recorded 10 fifties in 32 matches that he has played so far. The southpaw has scored 1,201 runs in 32 matches at an average of 42.81. Shakib has also hit two hundreds in the ICC World Cups.

Jacques Kallis | 9

South Africa legend Jacques Kallis featured third on the most fifties in the ODI World Cup list. Between 1996 and 2011, Jacques Kallis slammed nine fifties in 36 ICC World Cup matches. The former Proteas all-rounder finished his incredible career with 1,148 World Cup runs at an average of 45.92. Kallis also hit one memorable ODI World Cup hundred against the Netherlands in 2007.

Virat Kohli | 8

Former India captain Virat Kohli has the joint fourth-most fifties in the ODI World Cup. Having made his ODI World Cup debut in 2011, Virat Kohli has already smashed eight fifties in the marquee 50-over World Cups so far. The flamboyant right-handed batter has accumulated 1,186 runs in 29 matches at an average of 49.41. Kohli played a key role in India clinching the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Adam Gilchrist | 8

Former Australian wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist is fifth on the most fifties in the ODI World Cup list. Between 1999 and 2007, Adam Gilchrist clobbered eight half-centuries in the ODI World Cups. He scored 1,085 World Cup runs in 31 matches at an average of 36.16. Gilchrist was a member of the Australian team that won three consecutive ICC World Cup titles in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

Apart from Kohli and Gilchrist, the likes of Javed Miandad, Herschelle Gibbs, Mushfiqur Rahim, Steve Smith, Graham Gooch, Michael Clarke, Martin Crowe, Mohammad Azharuddin and Steve Tikolo have also registered eight fifties in ODI World Cup history.

Photo credit: Alamy

England all-rounder and Test captain Ben Stokes has hit the most sixes in Tests. He recently overtook Brendon McCullum to take top spot for most sixes in Tests.

Stokes, who is captaining England in Tests, is likely to extend his lead for sixes in Test cricket with a lot of red-ball cricket ahead of him.

Stokes, in fact, went past McCullum's record with the New Zealander as the coach of the English Test team. England's aggressive style of Test cricket means that Stoke is likely to finish his career with a sizeable lead as far as sixes in Tests go.

Meanwhile, after making his Test debut against South Africa in 2004, Brendon McCullum smashed 107 sixes in the 101 Tests that he played.

Considered to be one of the most destructive batters in modern cricket history, the former New Zealand captain amassed 6,453 runs in 101 matches at an average of 38.64. His strike rate in Tests was a healthy 64.6.

Interestingly, McCullum holds the record for the fastest Test century, having reached the milestone off just 54 balls against arch-rivals Australia in Christchurch in 2016. He was eventually dismissed for 145 off just 79 balls, which included 21 fours and six sixes.

McCullum features fourth on the list of most sixes in international cricket, having smashed 398 sixes in 474 matches. Only West Indies�?Chris Gayle (553), Shahid Afridi of Pakistan (476) and India’s Rohit Sharma (464) have hit more sixes in international cricket.

Former Australian wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist has also hit 100 sixes in Tests. 

While Gilchrist clobbered 100 sixes in 96 Tests, Stokes has smashed the same number of sixes in just 82 Tests.

Chris Gayle and former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis complete the top five list of most sixes in Tests. Gayle hit 98 sixes in the 103 Test matches that he played while Kallis smashed 97 sixes in 166 Tests.

Virender Sehwag has hit the most sixes in Test match cricket for an Indian. The former opening batter hit 91 sixes in 104 Tests and features sixth on the list of most sixes in Tests. Sehwag managed 243 sixes in 374 matches in international cricket.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni features second on the list of most sixes by Indians in Tests. The former India captain smashed 78 sixes in the 90 Tests that he played between 2005 and 2014.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is third on the list of most sixes by Indians in Tests. Having made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1989, Tendulkar hit 69 sixes in 200 Tests. The India cricket legend ended his illustrious career with 264 sixes in 664 matches.

Rohit Sharma and Kapil Dev complete the top five list of most sixes by Indians in Tests. While Rohit has smashed 66 sixes in just 46 Test matches, Kapil Dev hit 61 sixes in 131 Tests.

Most sixes in Tests

Player	Matches	Runs	Average	SR	6s
Ben Stokes (ENG)	92	5712	35.92	58.83	109
Brendon McCullum (NZ)	101	6453	38.64	64.60	107
Adam Gilchrist (AUS)	96	5570	47.60	81.95	100
Chris Gayle (WI)	103	7214	42.18	60.26	98
Jacques Kallis (SA)	166	13289	55.37	45.97	97
Virender Sehwag (IND)	104	8586	49.34	82.23	91

Most sixes by Indians in Tests

Player	Matches	Runs	Average	SR	6s
Virender Sehwag	104	8586	49.34	82.23	91
MS Dhoni	90	4876	38.09	59.11	78
Sachin Tendulkar	200	15921	53.78	54.04	69
Rohit Sharma	47	3320	46.76	56.02	68
Kapil Dev	131	5248	31.05	79.33	61

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Sachin Tendulkar hit 100 centuries in his celebrated career, a record for most hundreds in international cricket.

The legendary Indian cricket batter, whose career spanned from 1989 to 2013, hit his 100th international cricket century in a 2012 Asia Cup match against Bangladesh. The landmark century, however, ended in a losing cause as the Bangla Tigers secured a five-wicket win at Mirpur.

Sachin’s first century in international cricket came back in 1990 at Old Trafford. His unbeaten 119 off 189 balls helped India draw the Test against England. The ‘Little Master�?notched his maiden ODI hundred (110) against Australia in the 1994 Singer World Series.

Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 centuries in international cricket consist of 51 Test centuries and 49 ODI hundreds. He doesn’t have a hundred in T20 international cricket as he scored just 10 runs in his first and only T20I against South Africa back in 2006.

The Master Blaster is miles ahead of Australia’s Ricky Ponting when it comes to most hundreds in international cricket.

Among the most successful cricket captains and the most successful skippers in Cricket World Cup history, Ponting has hit 71 international hundreds in his career.

Ricky Ponting’s first international cricket century came in the 50-overs format. His 138-ball 123 helped Australia post 213/5 against Sri Lanka in a 1996 Tri-series. The Aussies, however, lost the game by three wickets.

Ponting hit his maiden Test century against England in the 1997 Leeds Test, with his 202-ball 127 helping Australia cross 300 after they were reduced to 50/4 early on in the tie. His efforts inspired the visitors to post a match-winning total of 501/9d.

Like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting retired from international cricket without a hundred in T20 international cricket.

Former India captain Virat Kohli is currently the active player with the most hundreds in international cricket. The 33-year-old has amassed 72 international centuries, 27 of those in Tests, 44 centuries in One Day internationals and one ton in T20I cricket.

His maiden hundred in international cricket came against Sri Lanka in 2009. With India given a target of 316 to chase in 50 overs, the swashbuckling batter hit a 114-ball 107 alongside Gautam Gambhir (150 not out) to propel the Men in Blue to a seven-wicket triumph at Kolkata.

Kohli had to wait for seven matches to notch his first Test hundred. The knock - 116 off 213 balls - came in a 298-run defeat against Australia at Adelaide.

Virat Kohli’s first T20I hundred came against Afghanistan during an Asia Cup 2022 encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He smashed an unbeaten 122 off 61 balls to help India secure a 101-run victory in a Super 4 stage clash.

Kumar Sangakkara and Jacques Kallis complete the top five list for most hundreds in international cricket.

Sangakkara, the all-time leading run-getter for Sri Lanka across formats in a career spanning 15 years from 2000 to 2015. He scored 63 international cricket hundreds over the course of his career.

The left-hander drew curtains on his cricket career in 2015 with 38 Test hundreds and 25 ODI centuries to his name.

Among the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, Kallis slammed his first hundred in cricket history against Australia (101 in Tests) in 1997. His maiden ODI ton came in 1997/98 match against New Zealand (111). The Proteas legend ended his career with 62 international centuries, with 45 in Tests and 17 in ODIs.

Most centuries in international cricket

Player	Country	Test	ODI	T20I	Hundreds
Sachin Tendulkar	India	51	49	-	100
Virat Kohli	India	27	44	1	72
Ricky Ponting	Australia	41	30	-	71
Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	38	25	-	63
Jacques Kallis	South Africa	45	17	-	62

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: AFP / MUNIR UZ ZAMAN

India Maharajas will square off against World Giants in a special exhibition match to kick off the second edition of Legends League Cricket at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on September 16. The opening match of Legends League Cricket 2022 will start at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).

The special exhibition has been organised to celebrate 75 years of Indian Independence.

Former swashbuckling opening batter Virender Sehwag has been appointed the captain of India Maharajas while legendary South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis will lead the World Giants.

Cricketers from 10 different nations are expected to feature in the high-profile encounter.

“This is a proud moment for us to celebrate the 75th year of our independence. As a proud Indian, it gives me immense satisfaction to share that we have decided to dedicate this year's league to the 75th year of Independence celebration,�?said Legends League Cricket Commissioner Ravi Shastri.

Apart from captain Virender Sehwag, India Maharajas have roped in Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Mohammed Kaif, Parthiv Patel, Ajay Jadeja, Joginder Sharma, Stuart Binny and several other former Indian cricketers.

On the other hand, Brett Lee, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dale Steyn, Jonty Rhodes, Mitchell Johnson, Herschelle Gibbs and Sanath Jayasuriya are included in World Giants�?squad under the leadership of Jacques Kallis.

Previously, BCCI president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly was appointed the captain of India Maharajas while England World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan was supposed to lead the World Giants. However, both legendary names pulled out of the tournament.

India Maharajas vs World Giants squads

India Maharajas: Virender Sehwag (captain), Mohammed Kaif, Yusuf Pathan, Subramaniam Badrinath, Irfan Pathan, Parthiv Patel (wicket-keeper), Stuart Binny, S Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Naman Ojha (wicket-keeper), Ashoke Dinda, Pragyan Ojha, Ajay Jadeja, RP Singh, Joginder Sharma, Reetinder Singh Sodhi

World Giants: Jacques Kallis (captain), Lendl Simmons, Herschelle Gibbs, Sanath Jayasuriya, Matt Prior (wicket-keeper), Nathan McCullum, Jonty Rhodes, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dale Steyn, Hamilton Masakadza, Mashrafe Mortaza, Asghar Afghan, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Kevin O’Brien, Denesh Ramdin (wicket-keeper)

Where to watch India Maharajas vs World Giants exhibition match live in India?

The India Maharajas vs World Giants exhibition match of Legends League Cricket 2022 will be telecast live on Star Sports 2, Star Sports 1 Hindi and their respective HD TV channels in India.

For other regional coverage, cricket fans can tune in to Star Sports 1 Tamil and Star Sports 1 Kannada.

Live streaming of the India Maharajas vs World Giants exhibition match will be available on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website. 

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Featured photo: LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI / AFP