It’s been three long years since Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, one of South Africa’s oldest and most famous cricket grounds, last hosted a test match. Happily, that wait has now come to an end.
Thirty-seven months after Sri Lanka’s famous victory in Durban, when Kusal Perrera’s remarkable unbeaten 153 earned a one-wicket win for the ages, another team from the Asian subcontinent, Bangladesh, will step onto the lush Kingsmead turf to do battle with their hosts in the first test and the ground's 45th.
The history of the ground includes the “Timeless test” from March 3-13, 1939, when the game, poised for a dramatic finish, had to be called off following concerns that the MCC tourists would miss their boat home.
More recently, the ground hosted the Indian team in November 1992 in the first test match held in post-apartheid South Africa.
Two of South Africa’s greatest allrounders, Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock, both played their final tests at Kingsmead. In Kallis’s case, he made his debut there against England in December 1995 before striking his final century (his 45th) in his 166th test against India in the Boxing Day test in 2013, 18 years later.
Gary Kirsten struck 275 at the ground against England in December 1999. At the time it was the highest test score by a South African.
The ground has undergone a sea of change in recent years. Under the guidance of its CEO, Heinrich Strydom, it has improved its facilities across the board.
Thanks to the generosity of its many sponsors, the ground is looking scrubbed up and shining as Strydom has found supporters in the corporate world to walk a journey of revival with him.
For example, the nets have been enlarged and opened to the public’s gaze, while the surrounding waste area has been turned into an elegant “Chow Corner” where spectators can eat and drink in comfort while watching the players practising.
The same sort of upgrade of food and drink facilities has been undertaken throughout the ground.
The field of play has also been upgraded with the square being revived. The eight pitches have been increased to 10 with the centre strip, where internationals are played, dug up and relaid.
CRICKETING HERITAGE
In addition to the upgrading of the ground and the service facilities, work has started on the stadium’s cricketing heritage with a museum effect put in place. For example, spectators can enjoy the “SAB Walk of Fame”, with giant photographs and posters that proclaim the great achievements of the likes of Pollock, Hashim Amla and Jonty Rhodes among South African players as well as prominent Dolphins and international players at the ground. There is also a cricket museum where books and artifacts are open to the public. This is an ongoing process.
The Bangladesh test will be a kind of dress rehearsal for next year when Kingsmead will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first test played at the ground, against England in January 1923.
This week’s test will be a cherished moment for the Kingsmead faithful. Further good news is that this week’s Government announcement has eased the Covid restrictions with 8 000 fully vaccinated spectators allowed through the gates while the bars will be open. Tickets are available online through Ticketpro.