Here's a nice overview of Kingsmead's rich history. I can't even imagine a 12 day test, but it was played in Kingsmead in 1939 (still holds the record as the world's longest test match!). Let's hope SA can whip the Aussies in Durbs. They have a winning record on the ground.
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Pitch Report - Kingsmead, Durban
March 04 2009
Kingsmead - just a few hundred metres from the sea.
Established: 1923
Capacity: 25000
Floodlights: Yes
Ends: Umgeni End, Old Fort Road End
Home Team: The Dolphins
Head Groundsman: Wilson Ngobese
Test History: 35 Tests; 13 home wins; 9 away wins; 13 draws
Last 10 Tests: 6 home wins; 1 away win; 3 draws
Last 10 Tosses: 6 field first (4 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw); 4 bat first (2 wins, 2 draws)
Overview
Just a couple of hundred metres away from the ocean, Kingsmead is located in the humid city of Durban - home to six kilometres of wonderful sandy beaches that attract plenty of surfers.
The ground used to be the traditional venue for the Boxing Day Test, but the powers-that-be decided to move it to Port Elizabeth because of a drop in spectator numbers - most of them were probably on the beaches or just suffering from Christmas Day hangovers, and who can blame them?
The ground, which has played host to Tests since January 1923 when England and South Africa played to a draw, occupies a special place in South African cricket history - Graeme Pollock scored the last of his seven Test centuries here, an epic 274 that inspired a crushing innings-and-129-run thumping of the Australians.
Of course Gary Kirsten went one better than Pollock in 1999 when he equalled Darryl Cullinan's South African record Test score of 275 against England.
Kingsmead also hosted the timeless Test against England in 1939. The match lasted from March 3-13 and was only called off so that the English players would not miss their ship home.
Groundsman Wilson Ngobese caused a major stir in 2006 when he attempted to repair a damaged area of the pitch by hammering a dry piece of bulli into a small hole that had appeared in an area comfortably outside the line bowled to either right or left handers. This, according to the laws of the game, is illegal.
Last time out
South Africa completed a series turnaround against West Indies, beating their depleted visitors by an innings and 100 runs inside three days to secure a 2-1 series victory in January 2008.
With Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan ruled out through injury, a top order of Daren Ganga, Brendon Parchment, Runako Morton, Marlon Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul managed just 21 runs among them after South Africa won the toss and stuck the islanders in. The lower order rallied but the tourists were still bungled out for just 139 as Shaun Pollock took 4 for 35 in his final Test match.
In reply the hosts registered 556 for 4 with Graeme Smith, Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers all making hundreds and while Samuels put up a fight in the West Indies' second innings, scoring 105 as stand-in skipper Dwayne Bravo made 75, they were unable to make the home side bat again.
Dale Steyn outshone Pollock in his final innings of Test cricket, but the all-rounder was still carried off the field by his teammates to ensure a happy farewell on his home ground.
Australia's last visit
Australia wrapped up the three-Test series at the first opportunity, securing victory here by 112 runs to take an unassailable two-nil lead in March 2006. But they did so under controversial circumstances as umpire Steve Bucknor steadfastly kept the players on the field under floodlights despite the fact that he had offered the light to the batsmen in similar conditions on previous days.
Debatable as it was whether there was enough natural light to continue deep into day five, it proved a gripping climax that was eventually decided by Shane Warne's six wickets on the final day.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Ricky Ponting scored a hundred and Mike Hussey made 75 as the tourists managed 369 all out. That looked a solid score after conditions on the first day had required plenty of application, and when Graeme Smith fell first ball of the innings to Brett Lee the home side were in trouble.
Jacques Kallis dug them out of a hole with 114 but when he was caught and bowled by man of the series Stuart Clark South Africa quickly slipped to 267 all out. Hundreds in the second innings from Ponting and Matthew Hayden consolidated Australia's advantage before Adam Gilchrist came in at number five to blitz some quick runs (24 off nine deliveries) to set up the declaration shortly before the end of day four.
410 were required for victory, but the real task was survival. Openers Smith and AB de Villiers made it through to close and then put on a stand of 91, but then Warne struck to remove them both before getting rid of Kallis, Jaques Rudolph and Andre Nel.
As told by the Wisden Almanack, "when No. 11 Ntini walked out, the scene was set for a day/nighter rather than a Test. But Bucknor let play continue, and Warne, with a perfect googly, had Ntini lbw. He didn't pick it. But in that light, nobody could."
Happy Hunting Ground
After his match-winning efforts here in Australia's 2006 victory, Ricky Ponting has the most imposing record of the current crop of batsmen. His average of 85.50 from his two Tests here is head and shoulders above that of the local players.
AB de Villiers leads the way for the Proteas with an average of 64.20 from four Tests, while Jaques Kallis follows with 58.18 from a monstrous 11 Tests here. One man South Africa will be hoping they don't miss is Ashwell Prince, who has a handy average of 55.33 from his four Tests at Kingsmead.
As usual for South Africa at a home ground, Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini lead the home bowlers' records with averages of 23.80 and 24.62 respectively. A little worryingly for the hosts, Jacques Kallis' average of 37.80 at Kingsmead is some way below his career bowling average of 30.97.
Weather forecast
While there has been rain in the build-up to the match, it's generally been evening showers so the wicket has had plenty of preparation time. Even better news is that the storms appear to be clearing so we should have five days of uninterrupted cricket.
Conclusion
Sometimes referred to as 'the green mamba' due to its reputation as a seamer's wicket, I can confirm that the pitch is indeed very green today. Although much of the grass will be shaved off before play gets underway on Friday, we can expect a lively track that will be difficult to bat on for the opening day.
The one salvation for the batsmen (and perhaps for Stuart Broad, who had six sixes hit off him in one over by Yuvraj Singh during the World Twenty20 here in 2007) is that the ground is a lot smaller than the Wanderers and so they should get increased value for their shots.
While there is a long-standing myth that the tide affects the fall of wickets at the ground, in truth it's the wind which plays a role here. Southerly winds generally bring moisture and the threat of rain off the sea, while northerly winds tend to produce drier weather.
Deciding whether to bat or bowl first can be a toss-up, but unless we have a lot of cloud cover on the first morning expect the captain who wins the toss to bat first whilst acknowledging that it will be tough going for the opening two sessions.
http://www.cricket365.co.za/story/0,18305,6673_5005074,00.html