Established:1986
Capacity: 20,000
Floodlights: Yes
Ends: Pavilion End, Hennops River End
Home Team: Nashua Titans
Head Groundsman: Hilbert Smith
Test History: 13 Tests; 10 home wins; 1 away win; 2 draws
Last 10 Tests: 8 home wins; 1 draw; 1 away win
Last 10 tosses: 7 bowled first (6 wins, 1 draw); 3 batted first (1 win, 2 defeats)

Overview

One of the more fledgling stadiums to host Tests, it has been described by numerous skippers as "one of the grounds with the best players' facilities in the world".

A vast majority of the ground is covered with grass embankments for family-friendly spectatorship, occasionally broken by more structured seating area mainly made up of a pavilion at the North end. Beach Cabana-type chalets have been built looking down on the grass area for the more corporate-inclined viewers out there.

Known for being one of the faster pitches in the South Africa, it also furnishes plenty for batsmen partial to the quicker stuff. It has never been seen as turn-friendly, with numerous would-be spinners having to chase leather all over the park.

Says former South African coach Ray Jennings: "It's no ordinary Test ground. The wicket changes character hugely over the five days, and because of the uneven bounce, the pitch can become unplayable by day four. That obviously plays on their minds, especially if they've not played at Centurion much before. That's a clear advantage South Africa have there. As is having quick bowlers like Pollock and Ntini who are very good at exploiting uneven bounce."

Rated one of the 10 best grounds in the world by Indian legend Kapil Dev and usually provides the canvas for a humdinger contest between bat and ball.

Last time out

November 2007 saw South Africa thump New Zealand by an innings and 59 runs. The tourists won the toss and elected to bat first but the opening batsmen soon succumbed to a fiery Dale Steyn who ended with figures of six for 49.

Stephen Fleming was the only light in what looked to be a very dark tunnel for New Zealand and the Kiwis were bundled out for a mere 136.

South Africa stuttered in their reply as both Herchelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith failed to make a dramatic impact but a ton apiece from Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis propelled the Proteas to 383. Steyn even chipped in with the bat, scoring 25, not too bad for a number 10.

Craig Cumming started off well for the Kiwis by knocking up 48 before he had to retire hurt. Steyn made an impact once again claiming four scalps while Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel chipped in with two each.

New Zealand were all out for 188 and the Saffers clinched a comprehensive series victory.

Happy Hunting Ground

Ntini has every reason to smile when a visit to Centurion beckons. The speedster has a tally of 46 wickets in just seven Tests at the ground. Furthermore, a wicket every 21 runs or every 39 balls put him head and shoulders above the rest.

Dale Steyn comes a close second with 17 wickets in just two matches. He's got a wicket for every fourteen runs, which should keep the Bangladesh batsmen on their toes.

Kallis has accumulated 877 (63.35 average) of his 9000-plus Test runs at SuperSport Park. The strike-rate (49.91) at which he has scored those runs makes one shudder in anticipation at the doggedness to come, but five half-tons and three centuries are not to be scoffed at.

Smith boasts with 529 runs at an average of 75.57 and his strike rate of 94.80 should install fear in the Bangladesh bowlers.

Weather forecast: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the first day of the Test. Some rain is predicted for day two but it looks sunny from there onwards. The game might initially be somewhat of a start-stop affair, but luckily SuperSport Park boasts a drainage system on par with any stadium worldwide.

Conclusion:

If history is anything to go by opting to bowl first should be a foregone conclusion.

Bangladesh's top-order will have to take advantage of the ball coming onto he bat quicker than other grounds and though the spinners won't get much spin, they'll benefit from the bounce.

South Africa have lost only one (two draws) of the thirteen Tests they have played in Centurion. That monumental statistic and the impetus gained from their resounding victory at Springbok Park will surely hand them a series win up North.