SA vs IND 2023 1st Test: Supersport Park Centurion Pitch Report, Last Test Match Scorecard, Records and Weather

Rohit Sharma-led Indian team will aim to record history in the upcoming 2-match Test series against South Africa. This will be India’s 10th Test series on South African soil and in 30 years, India has never won a single Test series in Rainbow Nation. India has only managed to draw one Test series in South Africa, back in 2010 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Meanwhile, Centurion will host the opening match of the series, let’s analyze the conditions of the venue such as SuperSport Park Centurion pitch report and Test records. Also, you can check the last Test match scorecard at Centurion Cricket Stadium below.

Before, India has played three Test matches at Centurion Ground with the most recent taking place in December 2021. Like the upcoming clash, the match in 2021 was also started on Boxing Day. Luckily India managed to beat South Africa in that game but have lost the other two encounters at this venue.

On the other hand, South Africa’s Test record at this venue has been phenomenal. In 28 games here, they have won 22, while three of them concluded in a draw. The Proteas have lost only 3 matches in Centurion; against England in 2000, Australia in 2014, and India in 2021.

Centurion Cricket Stadium TEST Records

To date, SuperSport Park Centurion has hosted 28 Test games, all of them featuring the South Africa side. 

• Total matches played: 28
• Matches won by the team batting first: 13
• Matches won by the team bowling first: 12
• Matches ended on a draw/no result: 3
• Highest team score in 1st innings: South Africa – 604/6 d vs West Indies, 2004
• Highest team score in 2nd innings: South Africa – 621/10 vs Sri Lanka, 2020
• Highest team score in 3rd innings: India – 459/10  vs South Africa, 2010
• Highest team score in 4th innings: England – 268 vs South Africa, 2019
• Lowest team score while batting 1st: India– 136 vs South Africa, 2010
• Lowest team score while batting 2nd: Srilanka – 119 vs South Africa, 2001
• Lowest team score while batting 3rd: South Africa – 116 vs West Indies, 2023
• Lowest team score while batting 4th: England – 101 vs South Africa, 1997
• Average 1st innings total: 336
• Average 2nd innings total: 316
• Average 3rd innings total: 230
• Average 4th innings total: 162
• Best bowling figures for a spinner: Shakib al Hasan (BAN) – 6/99 vs SA, 2013
• Best bowling figures for a pacer: Kyle Abbott (SA) – 7/29 vs Pakistan, 2013
• Highest score by a batsman: Hasim Amla (SA) – 208(371) vs West Indies, 2014

SuperSport Park Centurion Pitch Report

The Centurion pitch is expected to help pacers in the first half of the match. They will get a good pace and bounce here. As the overcast conditions are predicted, the toss-winning team may opt to bowl first. However, it has remained a good-scoring venue in the initial days of the matches, with an average first-innings total of 336. If batters manage to play well with the new ball the runs can come easily.

Centurion Weather During SA vs IND 1st Test

The rain is going to play a spoilsport in 1st Test between South Africa and India. The Accuweather website has forecasted a 97% chance of rain on Boxing Day. Occasional rain with thunderstorms have been predicted during the timings of the match. The second day is also expected to witness interruptions due to rain as there are 90% chance of 2.5 hours of rain. The chances of rain in the last three days are below 50%.

SuperSport Park Centurion Last Test Match Scorecard

The last Test match at Centurion Stadium was played between South Africa and West Indies on March 2, 2023. South Africa opted to bat first and despite captain Temba Bavuma scoring ducks in both innings they managed to win the game by 87 runs. Aiden Markram was named player of the match for his brilliant century in the first innings.