Kingsmead has been a happy hunting ground for the Proteas and we take a look at the top SA batting performances in Durban.
Jacques Kallis’ ton against India (2006)
After winning the toss and electing to bat, SA had a terrible start. They lost Graeme Smith with only three runs on the board bringing Kallis to the crease. He gave the Proteas a fighting chance scoring 119 not out off 160 balls (15 fours). The only other significant performance was a quick 41 off 47 from AB de Villiers as SA posted 248-8. India had a measly reply as they were bowled out for 91. Kallis picked up 3-3 and the Man of the Match award as SA went up 1-0 in a series which they claimed 4-0.
David Miller’s 118 to silence the Baggy Greens
Australia toured South Africa in August and the Aussies were completely dominated, losing 5-0 in the ODI series. Australia fought hard to avoid the dominance of the first two ODIs. David Warner (117) and Steven Smith (108) both scored tons to help Australia to the highest score at the ground, 371. Quinton de Kock (70) and Hasim Amla (45) got SA off to a good start with their 66-run partnership, followed by a 77-run partnership between De Kock and Faf du Plessis (33). There were no further significant contributions until David Miller stepped in, smashing six sixes and 10 fours for his 118 off 79 balls. He was helped by Andile Phehlukwayo (42) as the pair put on 107 for the seventh wicket (the highest at the ground) to take SA to victory and go 3-0 up in the series.
Herschelle Gibbs’ century in rain-affected match
With SA 3-1 up in the seven-match series against England in 2005, Gibbs hit 118 in the sixth ODI in a lone-wolf performance as the Proteas posted 211. It was a memorable knock in a rain-effected game which ended with a no result and SA would have to wait for one more game to confirm a 4-1 series win in the final match at Centurion.
Graeme Smith leads from the front
The Proteas handed Zimbabwe a 3-0 whitewash on their tour to South Africa in 2005, and this was largely due to the Proteas captain helping his side post an unchasable target in the second ODI. Smith led from the front hitting 117 off 129 balls (five fours and four sixes) as SA posted 329-6. Half-centuries from Gibbs (75 of 73) and Justin Kemp (53 off 21 balls) contributed to the score, but it was the SA bowling attack who took their side over the line, restricting Zimbabwe to 198-7 as SA claimed a 131-run victory and the series, going up 2-0.
Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla partnership
India toured SA in 2013 and the Proteas handed the visitors a 2-0 series hiding. In the second ODI at Kingsmead, India made the mistake of putting SA in to bat. The opening pair of De Kock (106) and Amla (100) put on a 194-run partnership which remains the second-highest partnership on the ground and the highest first-wicket partnership in Durban. SA posted 280-6 and India could not muster up a reply and were bowled out for 146 as the Proteas claimed the series and a 134-run victory.
