South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2024 Test series: St. George's Park, Gqeberha pitch history and Test records

The final Test of the South Africa vs Sri Lanka series will begin tomorrow morning (December 5) at St. George's Park in Gqeberha. The Proteas have a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, and they will be keen to complete a clean-sweep.

On the other side, Sri Lanka will aim to avoid a series defeat and keep their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final alive. The islanders had an embarrassing batting collapse in the first Test, where South Africa bowled them out for just 42 in the first innings.

Before the second Test between the two teams begins, here's a quick look at the pitch history of St. George's Park.

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St. George's Park, Gqeberha Test records

Gqeberha has hosted 32 Test matches so far, with South Africa winning 14 out of them. Touring sides have won 13 games at this venue, while five matches have ended in a draw.

Here are some other important stats to know from the 32 Test matches played in Gqeberha:

Test matches played: 32

Won by teams batting first: 14

Won by teams batting second: 13

Drawn: 5

Highest individual score: 196 - Herschelle Gibbs (SA) vs India, 2001

Best bowling figures (innings): 8/7 - George Lohmann (ENG) vs South Africa, 1896

Best bowling figures (match): 15/45 - George Lohmann (ENG) vs South Africa, 1896

Highest team total: 549/7 dec - Australia vs South Africa, 1950

Lowest team total: 30 - South Africa vs England, 1896

Highest successful run-chase: 271/8 - Australia vs South Africa, 1997

Average first innings score: 312

SA vs SL Head-to-head in Gqeberha: Played - 2, Won by SA - 1, Won by SL - 1.

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St. George's Park, Gqeberha pitch report

The pitch report for the second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka will be broadcast live before the toss happens. Generally, new-ball bowlers rule the roost in Test matches on this wicket.

Scoring runs against the new ball is challenging, but the batters dominate the proceedings once the ball gets older. The average first-innings score at this venue is 312, but the average runs per over is less than three.

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St. George's Park, Gqeberha last Test match

South Africa crushed Bangladesh by 332 runs in the last Test match hosted by Gqeberha. The match took place in April 2022, where Keshav Maharaj's 84-run knock powered the Proteas to 453 in the first innings. In response, Bangladesh managed 217.

The home side added 176 to their first-innings lead, setting a 413-run target for the Tigers. Keshav Maharaj's magnificent seven-wicket haul helped South Africa bowl Bangladesh out for just 80 in the second innings.

Here's a short summary of the scorecard:

Brief Scores: South Africa 453 (Keshav Maharaj 84, Taijul Islam 6/135) & 176/6 dec (Sarel Erwee 41, Taijul Islam 3/67) beat Bangladesh 217 (Mushfiqur Rahim 51, Wiaan Mulder 3/25) & 80 (Litton Das 27, Keshav Maharaj 7/40) by 332 runs.