SuperSport Park: Centurion’s Cricket Ground, Pitch and History

SuperSport Park is the main cricket ground in Centurion, a city between Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng. It was formerly known as Centurion Park and took its current name through a sponsorship arrangement. It is the home of the Titans in domestic cricket and of the Pretoria franchise in the SA20 league.

History

The ground opened in 1986 and has grown into a Test and limited-overs venue with a capacity of about 22,000. It lies in the Highveld, which means a high altitude and thinner air. Unlike many older grounds, it is a modern stadium with grass banks and a compact feel, and it has been used regularly for the Boxing Day Test in South Africa.

Pitch and conditions

SuperSport Park has a reputation for pace and bounce. The Highveld altitude helps the ball carry through to the wicketkeeper, and the pitch usually gives fast bowlers a reward for hitting a good length. The surface can be a good one for batting once the early movement has gone, and in the later stages of a long match some spin can come into play. Summer afternoon thunderstorms can lead to interruptions.

Notable matches

The ground staged the final of the 2009 Champions Trophy, in which Australia beat New Zealand by six wickets. In December 2021 India won the Boxing Day Test here by 113 runs, a result that gave them a first Test victory at the ground. SuperSport Park has also hosted matches at the 2003 men’s World Cup and the 2007 T20 World Cup, as well as numerous one-day and T20 internationals and IPL matches when the tournament was played in South Africa in 2009.

Atmosphere

Although smaller than some of the country’s other major grounds, SuperSport Park is known for its lively crowds, especially during the festive Test period. It is a significant part of South African cricket’s calendar and a place where visiting teams are always tested by pace and carry.