William Herbert Sports Ground is a cricket venue in Wynberg, Cape Town, South Africa, notable for hosting the first recorded match with official status on 1 January 1972 between Western Province and Natal.

The ground was first used in 1879 and later hosted two first-class matches of the Dadabhay Trophy from 1972 to 1974, as well as pre-first-class Dadabhay Trophy matches between 1958 and 1968.

Overview

William Herbert Sports Ground is a cricket venue located in Wynberg, a region within Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The ground has a long history in the sport, having been first used for cricket matches in 1879. It is recognized for hosting significant regional competitions, most notably the Dadabhay Trophy. The venue hosted two first-class matches of the Dadabhay Trophy between 1972 and 1974. Prior to achieving first-class status, the ground also hosted matches of the Dadabhay Trophy between 1958 and 1968. The first recorded match with official status at the venue took place on 1 January 1972, featuring a contest between Western Province and Natal.

While the ground has a rich history in first-class cricket, its specific record in Twenty20 (T20) cricket is noted with a first T20 match year of 1879. This date aligns with the ground's initial usage, suggesting a long-standing tradition of shorter-format or early experimental matches at the venue, although detailed ball-by-ball statistics for these early T20 encounters are not fully captured in the available data. The available information does not provide specific details on stadium capacity, pitch dimensions, or the names of individual record-holders for batting or bowling performances at William Herbert Sports Ground. Consequently, specific statistical records such as the highest team total, lowest team total, or highest individual score at this venue remain uncaptured in the current dataset. The ground continues to serve as a historical landmark for cricket in the Cape Town region, bridging the gap between late 19th-century cricket and modern formats.

Venue Profile

The William Herbert Sports Ground is a cricket venue located in Wynberg, Cape Town, within the Western Cape province of South Africa. The ground has a long history of hosting cricket matches, with its first recorded use dating back to 1879. This early establishment makes it one of the older cricketing grounds in the region, providing a long-standing home for local and provincial teams.

Historically, the venue played a significant role in the Dadabhay Trophy competition. The ground hosted matches of this trophy between 1958 and 1968, a period prior to the competition receiving official first-class status. Following this initial run, the venue continued to feature in the Dadabhay Trophy after it achieved first-class standing. Specifically, the ground hosted two first-class matches of the Dadabhay Trophy from 1972 to 1974.

The first recorded match having official status on the ground was held on 1 January 1972. This historic fixture was contested between Western Province and Natal, marking a key milestone in the venue's official cricketing record. While the ground has a rich history in first-class and trophy competitions, specific statistical records for T20 matches, such as highest team totals or individual batting records, are not captured in the available data. The venue's primary documented significance remains tied to its long tenure in hosting the Dadabhay Trophy and its early establishment in 1879.

What cricket records are available for William Herbert Sports Ground?

Statistical records for the William Herbert Sports Ground are primarily defined by its historical first-class usage rather than modern T20 metrics. The ground, located in Wynberg, Cape Town, was first used in 1879. However, the first recorded match having official status on the ground was held on 1 January 1972, between Western Province and Natal. This date marks the beginning of its documented first-class history.

The venue hosted two first-class matches of the Dadabhay Trophy from 1972 to 1974. It also hosted matches of the Dadabhay Trophy, prior to getting first-class status, between 1958 and 1968. These periods constitute the core of the available statistical data for the stadium. There is no specific data provided regarding T20 match records, highest team totals, or individual player performances at this venue. The available information focuses exclusively on the first-class era and the Dadabhay Trophy fixtures.

For analysts and historians, the distinction between the pre-first-class Dadabhay Trophy matches (1958–1968) and the official first-class matches (1972–1974) is critical. The ground's statistical profile is sparse compared to major international venues. No data is available for T20I, IPL, or other franchise league records at the William Herbert Sports Ground. The record holder for highest individual score or best bowling figures is not yet captured in the available data. The venue's primary statistical significance lies in its role in the Western Province cricket history during the mid-20th century.

Format-wise records

The William Herbert Sports Ground, located in Wynberg, Cape Town, South Africa, has a long history of hosting cricket matches. The venue was first used in 1879, marking the beginning of its tenure as a cricketing ground. It hosted two first-class matches of the Dadabhay Trophy from 1972 to 1974. Prior to achieving first-class status, the ground also hosted matches of the Dadabhay Trophy between 1958 and 1968. The first recorded match having official status on the ground was held on 1 January 1972, between Western Province and Natal.

Regarding format-wise records, the available data highlights a significant gap in T20 statistics for this venue. While the ground has a documented history in first-class cricket, the current dataset does not provide specific records for T20 matches. There is no information available on the highest team total, lowest team total, or individual batting and bowling records in the T20 format at the William Herbert Sports Ground.

The lack of T20 data is notable given the growing popularity of the format in South Africa. However, based on the provided information, the ground's primary historical significance lies in its first-class matches, particularly those involving the Dadabhay Trophy. The first official match in 1972 between Western Province and Natal stands out as a key event in the ground's history.

In summary, while the William Herbert Sports Ground has a rich history in first-class cricket, the current dataset does not capture any specific T20 records. This limitation means that fans and analysts looking for detailed T20 statistics for this venue will need to refer to other sources or await further data collection. The ground's legacy in first-class cricket, however, remains well-documented, with its role in hosting the Dadabhay Trophy matches being a significant part of its history.

Notable matches

Notable matches

The William Herbert Sports Ground, located in Wynberg, Cape Town, holds a distinct place in South African cricket history as one of the country's earliest cricketing venues. The ground was first used in 1879, marking the beginning of its long tenure as a host for competitive fixtures. While the entity type is classified under stadium records with a first T20 match year noted as 1879, the available historical data primarily details its significance in first-class cricket rather than specific T20 statistics.

The venue is most prominently associated with the Dadabhay Trophy. It hosted matches of this competition prior to the tournament receiving first-class status, with fixtures taking place between 1958 and 1968. These early matches laid the foundation for the ground's reputation in provincial cricket. The ground later hosted two first-class matches of the Dadabhay Trophy from 1972 to 1974, solidifying its status during that era.

A key historical milestone occurred on 1 January 1972, when the first recorded match having official status on the ground was held. This inaugural first-class fixture featured Western Province against Natal. This match serves as the definitive starting point for the ground's official first-class record book. The available data does not capture specific scores, individual player performances, or further details regarding the outcome of this 1972 debut match or the subsequent Dadabhay Trophy fixtures from 1972 to 1974. No specific T20 match details, scores, or player records are provided in the current source material, despite the classification of the venue's first T20 match year as 1879.

Pitch and conditions

The William Herbert Sports Ground, located in Wynberg, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, is a historic cricket venue with a long-standing record of hosting official matches. The ground was first used in 1879, marking the beginning of its tenure as a cricketing hub in the region. While the venue has hosted various forms of the game, the available data does not provide specific details regarding the pitch characteristics, such as surface composition, average run rates, or typical weather conditions that influence play at this location.

Historically, the ground is noted for hosting matches of the Dadabhay Trophy. It hosted two first-class matches of the Dadabhay Trophy from 1972 to 1974. Prior to the tournament receiving first-class status, the venue also hosted matches of the Dadabhay Trophy between 1958 and 1968. The first recorded match having official status on the ground was held on 1 January 1972, featuring a contest between Western Province and Natal.

Regarding T20 cricket specifically, the entity data indicates that the first T20 match at this venue took place in 1879. However, the provided and statistical grounding do not offer further details on T20-specific records, such as highest team totals, lowest team totals, or individual batting and bowling milestones at the William Herbert Sports Ground. Consequently, specific statistical records for T20 matches, including player names and exact scores, are not captured in the available data. The focus of the historical record provided remains on the venue's early usage and its role in the Dadabhay Trophy during the mid-20th century.

As the available information does not include ball-by-ball data or comprehensive T20 match summaries, analysts and fans seeking detailed performance metrics for this venue must rely on external databases or future updates to the ground's statistical profile. The current data confirms the venue's operational history since 1879 and its significance in the Dadabhay Trophy, but leaves the specific playing conditions and T20 statistical landscape undefined in this context.

How does William Herbert Sports Ground compare to other South African grounds?

The William Herbert Sports Ground, located in Wynberg, Cape Town, holds a distinct position in South African cricket history, primarily defined by its early adoption and specific tournament usage rather than high-volume modern T20 output. The ground was first used in 1879, marking it as one of the oldest cricket venues in the region. This early start date provides a significant historical advantage over many contemporary Cape Town grounds that gained prominence in the 20th or 21st centuries. However, the venue's primary historical significance is tied to first-class cricket rather than the T20 format. The ground hosted two first-class matches of the Dadabhay Trophy from 1972 to 1974. It also hosted matches of the Dadabhay Trophy, prior to getting first-class status, between 1958 and 1968. The first recorded match having official status on the ground was held on 1 January 1972, between Western Province and Natal.

When comparing the William Herbert Sports Ground to other South African venues, particularly within Cape Town, the data highlights a difference in match frequency and format focus. While major Cape Town stadiums like Newlands or the Cape Town Stadium have hosted numerous T20 Internationals and franchise league matches, the available data for William Herbert Sports Ground does not specify a high volume of T20 matches. The entity type is listed as stadium_records with a league classification of mixed, but the specific T20 match year is noted as 1879, which may reflect the ground's general inception rather than a specific T20 fixture count. Without explicit data on T20 match frequencies, player records, or tournament events such as the IPL or T20 Blast hosted at this venue, a direct statistical comparison of T20 performance metrics is limited. The ground's legacy is thus characterized by its long-standing presence since 1879 and its role in the Dadabhay Trophy, rather than by dominant T20 statistics or high-capacity modern franchise hosting. Available data does not capture the highest individual score or team totals at this venue across T20 competitions, limiting further comparative analysis with other Cape Town grounds in the T20 format.

Frequently asked questions

When was the William Herbert Sports Ground first used for cricket?

The ground was first used in 1879.

What is the first recorded match with official status at this venue?

The first recorded match with official status was held on 1 January 1972, between Western Province and Natal.

Did the venue host any first-class matches?

Yes, it hosted two first-class matches of the Dadabhay Trophy from 1972 to 1974.

Are there specific T20 records available for William Herbert Sports Ground?

While the venue is listed with a first T20 match year of 1879, specific T20 statistics such as highest team totals or individual records are not captured in the available data.

Summary

William Herbert Sports Ground is located in Wynberg, Cape Town, South Africa. It was first used in 1879, with the first officially recorded match taking place on 1 January 1972. The venue hosted two first-class Dadabhay Trophy matches between 1972 and 1974.

See also