Edgbaston has hosted 121 T20 Blast matches since 2014, establishing itself as the primary venue for the Birmingham Bears and a statistically significant ground in English domestic T20 cricket.

The stadium records include a highest team total of 242/2 by Warwickshire and a best bowling performance of 6/16 by TMJ Smith, reflecting the venue's capacity for both high-scoring chases and dominant bowling spells.

Birmingham Bears all-time leading wicket taker Vitality Blast. Photo: Hugo.arg (talk) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview

Edgbaston serves as the primary home ground for the Birmingham Bears in the Vitality Blast, the premier county T20 competition in England. The venue has established itself as a consistent fixture in the tournament calendar since the introduction of T20 cricket at the stadium. The first recorded T20 Blast match at Edgbaston took place on 19 June 2014, marking the beginning of a long-running series of contests. As of the most recent match on 31 May 2026, the venue has hosted a total of 121 T20 Blast matches. This extensive schedule underscores the ground's importance to the league structure and the Birmingham Bears franchise.

The Birmingham Bears are the most active team at the venue, having played 56 matches at Edgbaston during this period. This high frequency of home games reflects the stadium's central role in the county's T20 strategy. The match history spans over a decade, covering various phases of the Vitality Blast format. The data covers the period from the inaugural 2014 fixture through to the 2026 season, providing a comprehensive view of the venue's performance metrics. No other team has matched the Bears' volume of appearances at this specific ground within the T20 Blast context.

Statistical records from Cricsheet provide definitive benchmarks for performance at Edgbaston. The highest team total recorded at the venue is 242/2, achieved by Warwickshire on 3 July 2015. This innings set a significant benchmark for batting dominance at the ground. Conversely, the lowest team total is 39/4, posted by Lancashire on 19 June 2016, highlighting the variable conditions that can affect scoring rates. These extremes define the range of competitive outcomes possible at the stadium.

Individual performances have also reached notable heights at Edgbaston. The highest individual batting score is 158, scored by BB McCullum during the same match in which Warwickshire posted their highest team total on 3 July 2015. This double-century approach remains a standout achievement in the venue's T20 Blast history. On the bowling front, the best figures recorded are 6/16, achieved by TMJ Smith on 2 September 2020. These individual records illustrate the potential for both batting and bowling excellence at the Birmingham ground.

What is the highest team total at Edgbaston?

Warwickshire posted the highest team total at Edgbaston in T20 Blast competition, scoring 242/2 against Derbyshire on 2015-07-03. This innings stands as the benchmark for batting dominance at the venue, surpassing all other team scores recorded in the 121 matches held there between 2014 and 2026. The chase was anchored by a monumental individual performance from BB McCullum, who scored 158 runs in that same match. McCullum's 158 remains the highest individual batting score at Edgbaston, accounting for more than 60% of the team's total. The combination of a high team aggregate and a century-plus individual score in a single game highlights the scoring potential of the pitch during that period. No other team has surpassed the 242/2 mark in subsequent seasons, despite the venue hosting 56 matches for the Birmingham Bears alone. The 2015 performance by Warwickshire continues to define the upper limit of batting output at this ground.

What is the lowest team total at Edgbaston?

Such a low score often places immense pressure on the bowling attack of the opposing side, requiring consistent line and length to restrict the run rate. In the 2016 encounter, Warwickshire's bowlers managed to contain Lancashire to just 39 runs, a feat that remains the benchmark for defensive bowling performances at Edgbaston. The match took place during the early years of the Vitality Blast, a period when teams were still adapting to the specific dimensions and surface characteristics of the Birmingham venue.

Comparing this low total with other records at Edgbaston provides context for the venue's statistical range. While the highest individual batting score at the ground is 158 by BB McCullum, the lowest team total of 39/4 demonstrates how quickly a match can turn in favor of the bowling side. The best bowling figures at the venue, 6/16 by TMJ Smith in 2020, further illustrate the potential for dominant individual performances when team totals remain suppressed. These records collectively define the extremes of cricketing performance at Edgbaston.

The 2016 match where Lancashire scored 39/4 is one of 121 total matches played at Edgbaston according to Cricsheet data. The venue has hosted T20 Blast games from 19 June 2014 to 31 May 2026, providing a substantial sample size for statistical analysis. Among all teams, the Birmingham Bears are the most active, having played 56 matches at their home ground. The low total of 39/4 by Lancashire remains a notable outlier in this extensive dataset, marking a key moment in the venue's T20 history.

Best Bowling Figures at Edgbaston

Best Bowling Figures at Edgbaston

Bowling performances at Edgbaston have produced exceptional individual records, with the best figures in the venue's T20 Blast history standing at 6/16. This achievement was recorded by TMJ Smith on 2020-09-02, marking a dominant spell that remains the benchmark for bowlers at the ground. The six-wicket haul represents the highest number of wickets taken by a single bowler in a match at this venue, highlighting the potential for bowlers to seize control of the game under specific pitch and weather conditions.

The 2020 match in which TMJ Smith achieved these figures occurred during a period when the T20 Blast was a key fixture in the English domestic calendar. Edgbaston has hosted 121 matches since the introduction of the format in 2014, providing a substantial sample size for statistical analysis. Among these 121 games, Smith's performance stands out as the most prolific individual bowling effort. The 16 runs conceded in the process further underscores the efficiency of the spell, combining wicket-taking ability with economical run-rate control.

Comparing this bowling record with other statistical milestones at Edgbaston reveals the balance between bat and ball at the venue. While Warwickshire posted the highest team total of 242/2 in 2015, the bowling attack can still impose its will, as demonstrated by Smith's 6/16. The contrast between the highest team total and the best bowling figures illustrates the variability of match conditions at the ground. Lancashire's lowest team total of 39/4 in 2016 also reflects the bowling-friendly potential of the pitch, creating opportunities for record-breaking performances like Smith's.

The Birmingham Bears, as the most active team at the venue with 56 matches, have likely contributed to the accumulation of these records. TMJ Smith's achievement adds to the rich statistical heritage of Edgbaston, which continues to serve as a primary home ground for the franchise. The 2020 date of this record places it within the recent history of the T20 Blast, showing that the venue continues to produce notable individual performances. Analysts and fantasy cricket players often look to such records when evaluating player form and venue-specific advantages.

Birmingham Bears Match History

Edgbaston has served as the primary home ground for the Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast competition since the league's inception in 2014. The franchise has accumulated a significant volume of matches at this venue, establishing itself as the most active team in the stadium's T20 history. With 56 matches played, the Bears have utilized the pitch more frequently than any other franchise, providing a substantial dataset for analyzing team performance trends over the years.

The frequency of appearances allows for a deeper understanding of how the team adapts to the specific conditions at Edgbaston. As the host county, Warwickshire's performance metrics are heavily weighted by these 56 encounters. This volume of play is critical for statistical analysis, offering insights into batting averages and bowling strike rates that might be skewed in venues with fewer fixtures. The consistency of the Bears' presence means that records set here are often reflective of sustained performance rather than one-off anomalies.

Among the 121 total T20 Blast matches held at Edgbaston, the Bears' 56 games represent nearly half of the venue's history. This dominance in match count underscores the stadium's importance to the franchise's identity and fan base. The data from Cricsheet confirms that no other team has approached this level of activity at the ground, highlighting the structural advantage of hosting rights in the T20 Blast format. Such a high number of matches also means that individual player records for the Bears are likely to be more robust and statistically significant compared to visiting teams.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at Edgbaston?

The highest team total at Edgbaston is 242/2 by Warwickshire, achieved on 2015-07-03.

What is the lowest team total at Edgbaston?

The lowest team total at Edgbaston is 39/4 by Lancashire, recorded on 2016-06-19.

Who holds the best bowling figures at Edgbaston?

The best bowling figures at Edgbaston are 6/16 by TMJ Smith, bowled on 2020-09-02.

When was the first T20 match played at Edgbaston?

The first T20 match at Edgbaston was played on 2014-06-19.

Which team has played the most matches at Edgbaston?

The Birmingham Bears are the most active team at the venue, having played 56 matches.

Summary

Edgbaston has hosted 121 T20 Blast matches from 2014 to 2026, with the Birmingham Bears as the most frequent visitor (56 matches). The venue records include a highest team total of 242/2 by Warwickshire, a lowest total of 39/4 by Lancashire, and best bowling figures of 6/16 by TMJ Smith.

See also