Interesting Test facts at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
- Most no. of times 250+ runs hit by batsmen on this ground. 6 batsmen (once each) have scored 250+ runs in Sabina Park. Kennington Oval (London) and Melbourne Cricket Ground are at the 2nd position in this list with 5 250+ score.
Sabina Park is one of the 5 grounds where more than one batsman hit triple-centuries. Total 2 batsmen have hit triple centuries at this ground. Both batsmen had hit one triple century each on this ground and those are: former West Indian batsman Sir Garry Sobers (365* against Pakistan in 1958) and former English batsman Andy Sandham (325 against West Indies in 1930)
- West Indies has won joint most Test matches at Sabina Park. West Indies has won 23 Tests at this ground while they have also won 23 Tests at Kensington Oval (Bridgetown, Barbados).
- India has never won a Test match when they have crossed 300 run mark at Sabina Park.
- On this ground since 2002, India has never crossed 300 runs mark in a Test innings. Though India won their last two Tests on this ground (2006 and 2011).
- During India’s tour of West Indies in 1971, the 1st Test of 5-match Test series was played on this ground. During that Test match, India enforced West Indies a rare follow-on. India made 387 runs in their 1st innings while West Indies scored 217 runs in reply. Despite leading 170 runs in the 1st innings, India was able for forcing follow-on to the West Indies according to the law 13.3.
According to the law 13.3, “If no play takes place on the first day of a match of more than one day’s duration, 1 above shall apply in accordance with the number of days remaining from the actual start of the match. The day on which play first commences shall count as a whole day for this purpose, irrespective of the time at which play starts.”
During that 1st Test match in 1971, the first day had been washed out due to the rain. So the rules applied for 4-days of cricket instead of 5-days cricket. According to the law 13.1 (b) (i), “In a two innings match of 3 or 4 days, the side which bats first and leads by at least 150 runs shall have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings.” For that reason India was able to force a follow-on on the West Indies team despite India’s 1st innings lead was being 170 runs.