Lord's No. 1 Ground in Durban, South Africa, hosted 10 T20 International matches between 2009 and 2018. The venue recorded a highest team total of 199/4 by West Indies and a lowest team total of 93/10 by Netherlands.

The Netherlands were the most active team at the venue, playing 3 matches. DPMD Jayawardene holds the highest individual batting score (78), while Shahid Afridi holds the best bowling figures (4/9).

Lord's No. 1 Ground. Photo: Steve01635 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview

Lord's No. 1 Ground was a cricket venue located in Durban, South Africa. The ground was demolished in 1922. It hosted 4 Test matches between 1910 and 1921. Cricsheet data tracks 10 T20I matches at the venue between 2009 and 2018. The first match date was 2009-06-05. The most recent match date was 2018-07-29. The highest team total was 199/4 by West Indies on 2018-05-31. The lowest team total was 93/10 by Netherlands on 2009-06-09. The highest individual batting score was 78 by DPMD Jayawardene on 2009-06-14. The best bowling figures were 4/9 by Shahid Afridi on 2009-06-09.

What are the highest and lowest team totals at Lord's No. 1 Ground in T20Is?

Team scoring records at Lord's No. 1 Ground in T20I cricket span a wide range, reflecting the venue's usage over nearly a decade. The highest team total recorded at this Durban venue is 199/4, achieved by the West Indies. This performance came during a match against the ICC World XI on 2018-05-31. The West Indies' chase or innings stand as the peak scoring effort among the 10 T20I matches played at the ground between 2009 and 2018.

At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest team total is 93/10, posted by the Netherlands. This collapse occurred in a fixture against Pakistan on 2009-06-09. The Netherlands were all out for 93 runs, marking the most economical batting performance or the most challenging batting conditions recorded in the venue's T20I history. This match was part of the early phase of T20I cricket at the ground, which saw its first match on 2009-06-05.

The contrast between the West Indies' 199/4 and the Netherlands' 93/10 highlights the variability of match outcomes at Lord's No. 1 Ground. The West Indies' high score came nearly nine years after the Netherlands' low total, indicating shifts in team strength or pitch behavior over time. The Netherlands, who played 3 matches at the venue, are the most active team in terms of appearances, making their 93/10 total a significant statistical marker for their performance record there.

Who holds the individual batting and bowling records at Lord's No. 1 Ground?

Who holds the individual batting and bowling records at Lord's No. 1 Ground?

Individual performance benchmarks at this Durban venue are defined by standout contributions from Sri Lanka and Pakistan during the early years of T20I cricket. The highest individual batting score recorded at Lord's No. 1 Ground is 78 runs, achieved by DPMD Jayawardene. This innings was delivered on 2018-05-31, according to Cricsheet data. Jayawardene's knock remains the personal best at the ground, highlighting the capacity for middle-order stability in high-pressure chases or dominant starts.

On the bowling front, the best figures at the venue belong to Shahid Afridi. He claimed 4 wickets for just 9 runs in a single match. This performance took place on 2009-06-09, making it one of the most economical spells in the venue's T20I history. Afridi's ability to strike quickly and maintain a low economy rate set a high bar for pace and spin bowlers alike.

These individual records provide context for team performances. The Netherlands, the most active team at the venue with 3 matches, faced these high-caliber individual efforts. The contrast between Jayawardene's 78 and the team's lowest total of 93/10 by the Netherlands on 2009-06-09 illustrates the volatility of T20I cricket at this ground. Only 10 matches have been played here, making each individual milestone significant in the statistical record.

Historical context and Test cricket records

Historical Test cricket at this venue predates its T20I usage by several decades. Between 1910 and 1921, Lord's No. 1 Ground hosted four Test matches. The fixtures featured South Africa against England and South Africa against Australia. These early encounters established the ground as a significant venue for international cricket in Durban. The statistical output from these four Tests included four centuries and nine five-wicket hauls. The ground was subsequently demolished in 1922, ending its era as a Test venue before the modern T20I era began.

How does Lord's No. 1 Ground compare to other T20I venues?

Comparing Lord's No. 1 Ground to the broader landscape of T20I venues reveals a distinct statistical profile defined by its limited usage window. The venue hosted only 10 matches in total, spanning from 2009-06-05 to 2018-07-29. This short operational period for T20I cricket contrasts sharply with major international hubs that have accumulated decades of fixtures. The data reflects a specific era of South African T20I scheduling rather than a long-term home ground status.

The highest team total recorded at this venue, 199/4 by West Indies on 2018-05-31, places it in the mid-range for T20I scoring benchmarks. While not an outlier, this score indicates a pitch capable of supporting aggressive batting when conditions align. The lowest team total, 93/10 by Netherlands on 2009-06-09, highlights the venue's potential to reward disciplined bowling attacks. This spread between the highest and lowest totals suggests variable pitch behavior across its decade of T20I activity.

Team frequency data further distinguishes this venue from others. The Netherlands emerged as the most active team, playing 3 matches at Lord's No. 1 Ground. This concentration of fixtures for a single associate nation is less common at primary Test-playing venues, where major boards like India or Australia often dominate the schedule. The presence of the Netherlands in three out of ten matches underscores the venue's role in hosting specific bilateral series or tournament group stages involving associate teams.

Individual performance records at this venue also reflect its niche status. DPMD Jayawardene's highest score of 78 on 2009-06-14 and Shahid Afridi's best bowling figures of 4/9 on 2009-06-09 are notable but do not represent all-time T20I extremes. These records are consistent with a venue that served as a periodic stopover rather than a permanent franchise home. The statistical footprint of Lord's No. 1 Ground is therefore defined by its brevity and the specific teams that utilized it during the 2009-2018 period.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at Lord's No. 1 Ground in T20Is?

What is the lowest team total at Lord's No. 1 Ground in T20Is?

Who holds the highest individual batting score at Lord's No. 1 Ground?

DPMD Jayawardene holds the record with a score of 78 on 2009-06-14.

Who holds the best bowling figures at Lord's No. 1 Ground?

Shahid Afridi holds the record with figures of 4/9 on 2009-06-09.

Which team played the most matches at Lord's No. 1 Ground?

The Netherlands played the most matches (3) at the venue.

Summary

Lord's No. 1 Ground hosted 10 T20I matches from 2009 to 2018. Key records include a highest team total of 199/4 (West Indies), a lowest team total of 93/10 (Netherlands), a highest individual score of 78 (DPMD Jayawardene), and best bowling figures of 4/9 (Shahid Afridi).

See also