SA vs IND 1st Test: SuperSport Park, Centurion Pitch Report, Weather, and Ground Records
India will face South Africa in the 1st Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion
With the ODI series triumph under their belt, Team India is now slated to compete against South Africa in a two-match Test series, beginning December 26 at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Team India is set to regain its strength with the comeback of big players including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj, all set to make their first appearance since the World Cup defeat.
On the other side of the coin, South Africa‘s home turf provides them a strategic advantage as they strive to perpetuate their dominance and deny Team India a historic Test series win. The return of pace maestros Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi adds potency to their bowling lineup.
With that in mind, it’s time to delve into the pitch report for Centurion’s SuperSport Park, examining how the pitch is anticipated to behave over the course of the five-day match:
SA vs IND 1st Test: SuperSport Park, Centurion Pitch Report
The SuperSport Park in Centurion is known to provide huge assistance to pace bowlers in red-ball cricket. The pitch curator has revealed that both teams should expect a surface favouring pace from the first day. India’s head coach Rahul Dravid has also corroborated this, confirming additional bounce and seam movement for the bowlers.
Also, SuperSport Park has historically favoured pacers, and both teams are likely to incorporate additional pace options in their bowling lineup for the Boxing Day Test. As the ball ages, batters are expected to capitalise on opportunities to score heavily.
Is SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium Batting or Bowling Pitch?
Similar to other South African pitches, the SuperSport Park pitch in Centurion is bowler-friendly, posing a challenge for batsmen, especially pacers who will keep the opposition on their toes. Additionally, teams opting to bowl first have historically enjoyed success at this venue.
SA vs IND 1st Test: SuperSport Park, Centurion Test Records and Stats
- Matches played: 28
- Matches won by teams batting first: 13
- Matches won by teams batting second: 12
- Matches tied: 0
- Matches drawn: 3
- Highest team total: 621 – South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2020
- Lowest team total: 101 – England vs South Africa, 2016
- Highest successful run-chase: 251/8 – England vs South Africa, 2000
- Highest individual score: 208 – Hashim Amla (SA) vs West Indies, 2014
- Best bowling figures (innings): 7/29 – Kyle Abbott (SA) vs Pakistan, 2013
How Will the Weather Be for SA vs IND 1st Test?
Rain is anticipated to impact play during the first two days, offering seamers enhanced assistance from Day 3 onwards due to surface moisture.
