County Ground, Hove has established itself as a distinct venue in the T20 Blast since hosting its first Twenty20 match in 2019. As the home ground of Sussex County Cricket Club, the stadium offers specific statistical profiles for batting and bowling that differ from other county venues.

The ground is historically notable for being the first cricket ground to install permanent floodlights and the second in England to host a day-night match in 1997. These features continue to influence T20 Blast gameplay, particularly regarding pitch behavior under lights.

Overview

The County Ground, Hove, located in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, serves as the primary home venue for Sussex County Cricket Club in the T20 Blast. While the ground has hosted county cricket since 1872 and was the first in England to install permanent floodlights for day/night matches in 1997, its specific role as a T20 Blast fixture began more recently. The venue hosted its first T20 Blast match in 2019, integrating into the summer schedule alongside other major county grounds such as Edgbaston and Lord's.

As of May 30, 2026, the County Ground, Hove, has hosted a total of 42 T20 Blast matches. This dataset covers the period from July 24, 2019, through the current season. These fixtures provide a statistical baseline for analyzing team performance, pitch behavior, and head-to-head records specific to this Sussex venue. The ground is distinct among county grounds for featuring deckchairs for spectators, typically in the Sussex CCC colors of blue and white, offering a traditional viewing experience alongside modern T20 dynamics.

Statistical analysis of these 42 matches allows for comparisons with other T20 Blast venues like Trent Bridge or Headingley. Records tracked at Hove include highest team totals, lowest team totals, best bowling figures, and most runs by a batsman in a single innings. These metrics are critical for fantasy cricket players and analysts evaluating player form specific to the Hove pitch conditions. The data reflects the competitive balance of the T20 Blast, where home advantage and surface characteristics significantly influence match outcomes.

For detailed breakdowns, refer to the specific statistical tables below. These tables categorize records by batting, bowling, and team performance, ensuring clarity on which metrics apply strictly to T20 Blast matches at Hove, distinct from ODI or Test matches played at the same ground. All statistics are current as of the 2026 T20 Blast season.

Venue Profile

The County Ground, Hove, located in the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England, serves as the primary home venue for Sussex County Cricket Club. The stadium has hosted cricket since 1872 and is recognized for its traditional features, including deckchairs for spectators and its status as the first ground in England to install permanent floodlights. It was also the second ground to host a day-night match in England in 1997. In the context of the T20 Blast, the venue has been a key fixture for Sussex's campaign, hosting its first T20 match in 2019. The ground's dimensions and pitch characteristics influence the balance between bat and ball, often favoring batters in the initial overs before the pitch offers assistance to spinners and seamers as the match progresses.

As of 2026, the County Ground, Hove, continues to be a significant venue in the T20 Blast, contributing to the league's overall statistics and records. The stadium's capacity and layout provide a unique atmosphere for fans, with the deckchairs adding to the traditional county cricket experience. The venue has hosted numerous T20 Blast matches, showcasing the competitive spirit of the league and the skill of the players. The pitch at Hove is known for its consistency, providing a fair contest between bat and ball, which is crucial for the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket.

The T20 Blast, one of the premier domestic T20 leagues in England, has seen many memorable matches at the County Ground, Hove. The venue has hosted games featuring top domestic and international players, adding to its prestige. The stadium's floodlights allow for day-night matches, enhancing the viewing experience for fans and players alike. The ground's history and its role in the T20 Blast make it a vital part of the English cricket landscape, contributing to the league's growth and popularity.

Statistics from T20 Blast matches at the County Ground, Hove, reflect the venue's impact on the game. The average first-innings score and the success rates of batters and bowlers provide insights into the pitch conditions and the overall performance of teams. The venue has seen both high-scoring thrillers and low-scoring tactical battles, demonstrating the versatility of the pitch. The stadium's records, including the highest team totals and the best bowling figures, are part of the broader T20 Blast statistics, offering fans and analysts valuable data for understanding the game's dynamics at this venue.

The County Ground, Hove, remains a cherished venue for cricket enthusiasts, combining tradition with modern amenities. Its role in the T20 Blast highlights the importance of county grounds in the domestic cricket structure. The stadium's continued use for T20 matches ensures that it remains a relevant and exciting venue for fans, players, and teams in the English cricket scene. The venue's contributions to the T20 Blast statistics and records underscore its significance in the league's history and future.

What are the batting records at County Ground, Hove?

The County Ground in Hove serves as the primary home venue for Sussex County Cricket Club within the T20 Blast competition. While the ground has hosted county cricket since 1872, its modern T20 Blast fixture list began in 2019. The venue is known for its traditional layout, featuring deckchairs in Sussex’s blue and white colours, and historically significant floodlighting infrastructure.

Batting Records at County Ground, Hove

Statistical analysis of T20 Blast matches played at Hove reveals distinct extremes in team and individual performances since the league's inception at the venue.

Highest Team Total

The record for the highest team total in a T20 Blast match at the County Ground, Hove, stands at 258/6. This total was achieved by Surrey in their encounter against Sussex on 9 June 2023. This score represents a significant benchmark for batting depth at the venue, indicating a surface that can reward aggressive stroke-play under floodlights.

Lowest Team Total

Conversely, the lowest team total recorded at this venue is 23/3. Sussex posted this score against Essex on 13 June 2025. A total of 23 runs in three wickets suggests a particularly challenging batting condition or an exceptional bowling performance, highlighting the variability of match outcomes at Hove.

Highest Individual Score

The highest individual score in T20 Blast history at the County Ground, Hove, is 121 runs. This milestone was reached by MM Ali on 6 September 2019. This performance remains the standout individual batting achievement at the venue in the T20 Blast format.

These records provide a statistical framework for understanding batting potential and vulnerability at the County Ground, Hove, for analysts and fantasy cricket participants evaluating team compositions and player form.

What are the bowling records at County Ground, Hove?

At the County Ground, Hove, bowling performances are heavily influenced by the venue's surface characteristics and its status as a home for Sussex County Cricket Club. As one of the few county grounds featuring deckchairs and early adopter of permanent floodlights for day/night cricket, Hove presents a unique challenge for bowlers, particularly in the T20 Blast format.

Bowling Records at County Ground, Hove

The T20 Blast has been a prominent competition at this venue since the introduction of the format in the county's schedule. While the ground has hosted numerous matches across different eras, specific statistical benchmarks help define the bowling prowess required to succeed here.

As of the 2025 season, the best bowling figures in a T20 Blast match at the County Ground, Hove, stand at 5 wickets for 17 runs. This remarkable performance was achieved by N McAndrew on June 8, 2025. Such figures highlight the potential for spinners or skilled seamers to dominate when the pitch offers consistent movement or bounce.

These records are specific to the T20 Blast format and may differ from other competitions held at the same ground, such as One Day Internationals (ODIs) or The Hundred. The T20 Blast, being a domestic limited-overs tournament, often sees varied conditions depending on the time of year and specific match scheduling.

Analysts and fantasy cricket players should note that Hove's dimensions and surface can favor certain bowling styles. The record set by McAndrew in 2025 serves as a key benchmark for evaluating bowler performance in this specific environment. When assessing head-to-head matchups or player form at Hove, this 5/17 performance remains a critical data point for understanding the upper limits of bowling efficiency at this venue.

For comprehensive stadium records, including batting averages and highest team totals, further analysis of the County Ground's historical data is recommended. However, in terms of pure bowling excellence in the T20 Blast, McAndrew's 2025 performance currently holds the top spot.

Team Performance at Hove

Sussex County Cricket Club holds the dominant position at the County Ground, Hove, having contested the highest volume of T20 Blast fixtures at the venue. With 42 matches played, Sussex’s extensive sample size provides a robust statistical baseline for analyzing team performance trends since the ground’s first T20 appearance in 2019.

The venue serves as the primary home ground for Sussex in the T20 Blast, the domestic limited-overs tournament organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The club’s historical tenure at the ground, dating back to 1872, translates into significant familiarity with the pitch characteristics and boundary dimensions. This home advantage is a critical factor in T20 cricket, where marginal gains in batting strike rates and bowling economy often determine the outcome.

Statistical analysis of Sussex’s 42 matches reveals the venue’s role in shaping team strategy. As the team with the most appearances, Sussex’s win-loss record at Hove offers insights into how the surface behaves under day-night conditions. The ground was the second in England to host a day-night match in 1997 and features permanent floodlights, which continue to influence gameplay in the T20 Blast format. Factors such as dew formation and the behavior of the ball under lights are well-documented considerations for teams playing at Hove.

For fantasy cricket players and analysts, Sussex’s performance metrics at this venue are essential. The high number of matches allows for the identification of consistent performers and tactical preferences. While specific individual records require match-by-match verification, the aggregate data underscores the importance of home ground familiarity. Sussex’s ability to adapt to the Hove pitch has been a recurring theme in their T20 Blast campaigns.

The County Ground’s unique features, including its deckchairs and specific boundary lengths, contribute to the distinct playing conditions. Sussex’s extensive use of the venue means they have more data points to optimize their batting order and bowling changes. This statistical depth is less available for visiting teams, which often play fewer matches at Hove in the T20 Blast rotation.

As of 2026, the record of 42 matches remains a key benchmark for venue-specific performance. Any analysis of T20 Blast statistics at Hove must account for Sussex’s disproportionate representation in the dataset. This dominance affects overall venue averages for runs scored and wickets taken, making it crucial to separate Sussex’s performance from the broader venue statistics when drawing conclusions about the ground’s characteristics.

How does Hove compare to other T20 Blast grounds?

County Ground, Hove, serves as the primary home venue for Sussex County Cricket Club in the T20 Blast. The ground hosted its first T20 Blast match in 2019, establishing a distinct statistical profile within the county competition. As of 2026, the venue has accumulated seven seasons of T20 Blast data, providing a sample size sufficient for trend analysis but distinct from longer-established venues like Lord's or Trent Bridge.

In the broader context of T20 Blast stadiums, Hove is characterized by its coastal location in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex. This geographic factor often influences pitch behavior and boundary dimensions compared to inland grounds such as Edgbaston or The Oval. The venue is noted for its unique spectator amenities, including deckchairs in Sussex CCC's blue and white colors, which differentiate the fan experience from traditional county grounds.

Statistical comparisons with other T20 Blast venues require careful segmentation. Hove's records are specific to the T20 Blast format and do not directly correlate with IPL or PSL statistics unless explicitly stated. The ground was the first in England to install permanent floodlights and the second to host a day-night match in 1997, a feature that remains relevant for evening T20 Blast fixtures. This lighting infrastructure supports consistent batting conditions during twilight hours, a factor analysts consider when evaluating run-rates and wicket distributions at Hove.

When evaluating Hove against other Sussex venues, it is the dominant ground for home matches since 1872. While Sussex CCC occasionally utilizes Eastbourne, Hastings, Arundel Castle, or Horsham, the T20 Blast statistics are concentrated at Hove. This centralization allows for more reliable head-to-head matchup data for teams playing at Hove compared to rotating venues. The ground's capacity and layout influence crowd density and potential noise factors, which can impact bowler performance in the middle overs.

Records at Hove should be contextualized within the 2019-2026 period. Early seasons may show different scoring trends compared to later years as teams adapted to the specific pitch characteristics. Analysts tracking fantasy cricket or team strategies should note that Hove's T20 Blast data is a subset of its overall cricket history. The venue's status as a traditional county ground means it lacks the commercial scale of IPL stadiums but offers a consistent environment for domestic T20 competition. Comparisons with other T20 Blast grounds should focus on pitch type, boundary size, and historical win-loss ratios rather than direct numerical equivalence, as each venue presents unique tactical challenges.

Frequently asked questions

When did the first T20 match take place at County Ground, Hove?

The first T20 match at the venue was played in 2019.

Which team plays home T20 Blast matches at Hove?

Sussex County Cricket Club uses the County Ground as their primary home venue for T20 Blast fixtures.

What is the historical significance of the floodlights at Hove?

County Ground, Hove was the first cricket ground to install permanent floodlights and the second ground in England to host a day-night match, which occurred in 1997.

Are there unique spectator features at this stadium?

Yes, it is one of the few county grounds to feature deckchairs for spectators, colored in the Sussex CCC blue and white.

Does Sussex play all home matches at Hove?

No, while most home matches since 1872 have been played at Hove, Sussex also uses grounds in Eastbourne, Hastings, Arundel Castle, and Horsham.

Summary

County Ground, Hove hosted its inaugural T20 match in 2019 and serves as the main home for Sussex County Cricket Club in the T20 Blast. The venue is distinguished by its early adoption of permanent floodlights, which debuted in 1997.