South Africa and Pakistan will contest the fifth and final ODI at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.
- Only five defeats
South Africa have won 28 of their 33 ODIs at Newlands. One of the five defeats was to Pakistan in November 2013, when batting trio Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and David Miller shared just 26 runs.
- Du Plessis’ near double
South Africa’s highest ODI total at Newlands is 367 for five, amassed against Sri Lanka in February 2017, after batsman Faf du Plessis gathered a hefty 185. Their biggest ODI tally against Pakistan at this venue is 2002’s 265 for eight.
- Largest of the lot
Du Plessis’ near double century is the highest individual ODI score at Newlands. The next largest by a South African is former batsman Neil McKenzie’s unbeaten 131 against Kenya in 2001, though Australia’s David Warner and India’s Virat Kohli struck 173 and 160 not out against the Proteas here in 2016 and 2018 respectively.
- More du Plessis
Among South Africa’s current squad, du Plessis also has the most ODI runs at Newlands. He has collected 256 in four innings at a 64.00 venue average some 19 runs more than his career aggregate. The tally was obviously boosted significantly by that 185.
- Bowling dearth
Not a single performance from South Africa’s current crop features in the list of top 20 ODI bowling figures at Newlands. Former fast bowler Makhaya Ntini’s 6-22 against Australia in 2006 is the best by a Proteas cricketer at this venue.
- Tahir and Rabada jostle
Ntini’s tally of 27 is the second-most ODI wickets taken at the ground. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and leg-spinner Imran Tahir are significantly further down the list with eight each, though the former has played one less match than the latter here.
- Lower order gains
As at Centurion for the third ODI, Pakistan hold the record for the highest 10th-wicket partnership at Newlands ahead of the series decider. Tail-enders Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Akhtar shared 53 against England during the 2003 World Cup.
Photo: Carl Fourie | Gallo Images
