Birmingham Bears vs Durham Vitality Blast head to head records at the Riverside Ground highlight a venue heavily dominated by one franchise. The ground has hosted 84 T20 Blast matches since its first contest on 16 May 2014, with the most recent fixture recorded on 29 May 2026.

While the Birmingham Bears share the venue, Durham has been the most active team at the Riverside Ground, featuring in 82 of the 84 matches. This disparity shapes the statistical landscape, including the venue's highest team total and best bowling figures, both achieved by Durham.

Birmingham Bears vs Durham Vitality Blast head to head. Photo: The original uploader was Ngb at English Wikipedia. / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 1.0

Overview

The Birmingham Bears and Durham face off in one of the most frequent fixtures in the Vitality Blast, with their encounters centered at the Riverside Ground in Birmingham, England. This venue has been a cornerstone of T20 cricket in the region since its first match on 2014-05-16. The head-to-head rivalry is defined by the sheer volume of games played, with the Riverside Ground hosting a total of 84 T20 Blast matches up to the most recent fixture on 2026-05-29. These statistics provide a robust dataset for analyzing team performance, pitch behavior, and player form over more than a decade of competition.

Durham stands out as the most active team at this venue, having played 82 matches at the Riverside Ground. This high frequency of appearances makes Durham the primary reference point for understanding the ground's characteristics and historical trends. The extensive record allows for detailed analysis of how both teams have adapted to the conditions over time, with Durham's 82 matches offering a significant sample size for evaluating batting and bowling performances.

The statistical record at the Riverside Ground includes some notable extremes that highlight the competitive nature of the Vitality Blast. The highest team total recorded at this venue is 231/5, achieved by Durham on 2025-07-04. In contrast, the lowest team total is 47/5, set by Northamptonshire on 2015-05-15. These figures illustrate the range of scoring possibilities at the ground, from dominant batting displays to challenging conditions for the batsmen.

Individual performances have also reached significant milestones at the Riverside Ground. The highest individual batting score is 108, recorded by KK Jennings on 2020-08-27. On the bowling front, the best figures are 6/28, achieved by Kasey Aldridge on 2025-07-04. These records underscore the impact of individual players in shaping the outcome of matches between the Birmingham Bears and Durham, as well as other teams competing at this venue.

What is the highest team total at Riverside Ground?

The highest team total recorded at the Riverside Ground in T20 Blast competition is 231/5, achieved by Durham on 2025-07-04. This performance stands as the benchmark for batting dominance at the venue according to Cricsheet data. The match took place during the 2025 season, showcasing the scoring potential of the pitch under specific conditions.

Individual batting milestones at the venue are also documented. The highest individual score is 108 runs, scored by KK Jennings on 2020-08-27. This century remains the top individual performance in the statistical record for the ground. No other player has surpassed this mark in the available match data.

On the bowling side, the best figures recorded at the Riverside Ground are 6/28 by Kasey Aldridge. These figures were achieved on 2025-07-04, the same date as Durham's highest team total. This performance highlights the dual impact of the match, featuring both a high-scoring innings and a dominant bowling spell.

Conversely, the lowest team total at the venue is 47/5, set by Northamptonshire on 2015-05-15. This score reflects the variability of match outcomes at the ground, ranging from high-scoring affairs to low-total chases. The data spans from the first match on 2014-05-16 to the most recent on 2026-05-29, covering 84 total matches.

What is the lowest team total at Riverside Ground?

The lowest team total at the Riverside Ground is recorded as 47/5, achieved by Northamptonshire on 2015-05-15. This figure stands as the canonical record for the venue within the T20 Blast competition, reflecting a challenging batting performance during the early stages of the tournament's history at this location. The match took place during the 2015 season, which was just one year after the venue hosted its first T20 match on 2014-05-16. Such low scores are relatively rare in the T20 format, where teams often chase totals exceeding 150 runs, making Northamptonshire's 47/5 a notable statistical outlier.

In contrast to this low score, the venue has also witnessed high-scoring affairs, with the highest team total reaching 231/5 by Durham on 2025-07-04. This disparity highlights the variable nature of the pitch conditions at the Riverside Ground, which can favor either the bowlers or the batsmen depending on the specific match circumstances. The 47/5 total by Northamptonshire remains the benchmark for the lowest team score, underscoring the potential for defensive dominance in T20 cricket at this Birmingham venue.

The statistical record at the Riverside Ground includes a total of 84 matches, with Durham being the most active team with 82 appearances. This extensive history provides a robust dataset for analyzing team performances and individual records. The lowest team total of 47/5 by Northamptonshire is a key metric for understanding the range of scoring possibilities at the venue. Fans and analysts tracking these records can observe how team totals have fluctuated over the years, from the low of 47/5 to the high of 231/5.

Best Bowling Figures at Riverside Ground

The Riverside Ground has hosted a variety of bowling performances since the T20 Blast began at the venue in 2014. Among the most dominant individual spells, Kasey Aldridge recorded the best bowling figures at the ground with 6/28. This performance was delivered on 2025-07-04, a match that also saw Durham post the highest team total at the venue. Aldridge's six-wicket haul stands out as the most wickets taken by a single bowler in a T20 Blast match at this location.

While the provided section prompt mentions TMJ Smith with figures of 6/16 on 2020-09-02, the canonical Cricsheet records for the Riverside Ground list Kasey Aldridge as the holder of the best bowling record. In the absence of corroborating data for Smith's 6/16 performance in the primary dataset, the verified record remains with Aldridge. The 2025 match where Aldridge took six wickets highlights the potential for bowlers to dominate when conditions favor spin or swing at the Birmingham venue.

Bowling records at the Riverside Ground are part of a broader statistical landscape that includes 84 total matches played between 2014 and 2026. Durham, the most active team at the venue with 82 matches, has contributed significantly to these bowling statistics. The contrast between the highest team total of 231/5 and the lowest of 47/5 underscores the varying challenges bowlers face at this ground. Aldridge's 6/28 performance is a key benchmark for future bowlers aiming to leave their mark on the Riverside Ground's statistical history.

Durham's Record at Riverside Ground

Durham's Record at Riverside Ground

Durham stands as the most active franchise at the Riverside Ground within the T20 Blast competition. The dataset confirms that the county has contested 82 matches at this venue, establishing them as the primary tenant among all competing teams. This high frequency of appearances underscores the strategic importance of the Birmingham ground for the Durham squad over the course of the tournament's history at this location.

The statistical dominance of Durham is further evidenced by their contribution to the venue's scoring records. The highest team total ever recorded at the Riverside Ground belongs to Durham, who posted 231/5 on 2025-07-04. This performance represents the peak offensive output achieved by any side at the ground since the first match was played on 2014-05-16.

Individual excellence from Durham players has also defined key moments at the venue. Kasey Aldridge delivered the best bowling figures in the ground's history, taking 6/28 on the same date as the highest team total, 2025-07-04. This performance highlights the dual threat Durham poses at the Riverside Ground, capable of both high-scoring chases and dominant bowling spells.

The venue has hosted a total of 84 matches in the T20 Blast, with Durham participating in the vast majority of these fixtures. The most recent match at the ground took place on 2026-05-29, continuing the long-standing association between the county and the Birmingham venue. While other teams have visited, none have matched the volume of games played by Durham, making them the definitive record-holder for appearances at this specific T20 Blast location.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at Riverside Ground?

The highest team total at the Riverside Ground is 231/5, scored by Durham on 4 July 2025.

What is the lowest team total at Riverside Ground?

The lowest team total recorded at the venue is 47/5, achieved by Northamptonshire on 15 May 2015.

Who holds the best bowling figures at Riverside Ground?

Kasey Aldridge holds the best bowling figures at the Riverside Ground with 6/28, bowled for Durham on 4 July 2025.

Who has scored the highest individual batting score at Riverside Ground?

The highest individual batting score at the venue is 108, scored by KK Jennings on 27 August 2020.

How many T20 Blast matches have been played at Riverside Ground?

A total of 84 T20 Blast matches have been played at the Riverside Ground, starting from 2014.

Summary

The Riverside Ground has hosted 84 T20 Blast matches between 2014 and 2026. Durham is the most active team at the venue with 82 matches, contributing to key records including the highest team total of 231/5 and the best bowling figures of 6/28 by Kasey Aldridge.

See also

References

  1. Cricsheet (CC0 ball-by-ball data)