The County Ground, New Road in Birmingham has hosted 596 T20 Blast matches since the venue's first contest on 16 May 2014, establishing it as a prolific stage for the Birmingham Bears and Worcestershire rivalry.

Records at this venue include a highest team total of 265/5 by Somerset and a highest individual score of 153 by LJ Wright, reflecting the scoring potential and individual brilliance witnessed in the Vitality Blast fixtures.

Overview

The Birmingham Bears and Worcestershire contest at the County Ground, New Road, represents a key fixture within the T20 Blast competition. This head-to-head analysis focuses exclusively on matches played at this Birmingham venue, covering the period from the first recorded game on 2014-05-16 through to the most recent encounter on 2026-05-31. The dataset encompasses a total of 596 matches held at this ground, providing a comprehensive statistical foundation for evaluating team performance and individual records.

Worcestershire has participated in 92 matches within this specific venue context, establishing a significant presence in the New Road record books. The rivalry is set against a backdrop of diverse scoring patterns and exceptional individual performances documented in the Cricsheet records. The venue has hosted a wide array of teams, with Northamptonshire emerging as the most active participant, featuring in 110 matches at the County Ground.

Match History and Venue Context

County Ground, New Road has hosted 596 T20 Blast matches since the competition's inaugural fixture on 2014-05-16. The venue remains active, with the most recent recorded match taking place on 2026-05-31. This extensive schedule establishes the ground as a central hub for the league, providing a consistent backdrop for franchise rivalries including the Birmingham Bears and Worcestershire. The longevity of the tournament at this location allows for deep statistical analysis of team performance and individual milestones over more than a decade.

Statistical extremes at this venue highlight the variability of T20 cricket conditions. Somerset posted the highest team total of 265/5 on 2022-07-09, demonstrating the scoring potential of the pitch. In contrast, Essex recorded the lowest team total of 10/0 on 2020-08-27, illustrating how quickly a match can turn. These records frame the range of outcomes possible at New Road, from dominant batting displays to defensive collapses.

Individual performances have also reached notable heights. LJ Wright scored the highest individual batting score of 153 on 2014-07-25, setting a benchmark for batting endurance at the venue. On the bowling front, CN Ackermann achieved the best bowling figures of 7/18 on 2019-08-07. These individual records contribute to the historical context of the venue, marking specific matches where players significantly influenced the result.

Northamptonshire is the most active team at the venue, having played 110 matches. This frequency suggests the ground's strategic importance for certain franchises within the T20 Blast structure. The high number of fixtures also provides a robust sample size for analyzing head-to-head records and venue-specific trends. For teams like Birmingham Bears and Worcestershire, understanding these broader venue statistics is crucial for tactical planning and performance evaluation.

What are the highest and lowest team totals at this venue?

Statistical extremes at this venue highlight the variability of T20 Blast contests. The highest team total recorded is 265/5 by Somerset on 2022-07-09. The lowest team total is 10/0 by Essex on 2020-08-27. These figures define the range of scoring environments at County Ground, New Road.

Individual performances have also reached notable heights. LJ Wright scored 153 runs on 2014-07-25. CN Ackermann took 7/18 wickets on 2019-08-07. These records stand as benchmarks for batting and bowling excellence at the venue.

Northamptonshire is the most active team at the venue, having played 110 matches. This frequency reflects the team's consistent presence in the T20 Blast circuit. The venue has hosted 596 matches in total, starting from 2014-05-16 and continuing through 2026-05-31.

Individual Records at County Ground, New Road

Individual Records at County Ground, New Road

Individual performances at the venue are defined by the statistical extremes recorded in the Cricsheet database. The highest individual batting score is 153, achieved by LJ Wright on 2014-07-25. This innings represents the peak individual output among the 596 matches played at the ground between 2014 and 2026. The best bowling figures are 7/18, recorded by CN Ackermann on 2019-08-07. These two performances illustrate the range of individual dominance possible on the pitch, from a century-plus batting display to a seven-wicket haul.

The head-to-head dynamics between Birmingham Bears and Worcestershire are influenced by such individual milestones. While the overall venue record for batting is held by Wright, the bowling record stands with Ackermann. These figures provide context for evaluating player form when the two teams meet. The venue has hosted matches since 2014-05-16, with the most recent match occurring on 2026-05-31. The consistency of individual records over this period highlights the competitive nature of the T20 Blast at this location.

How does this rivalry compare to other T20 Blast fixtures?

Comparing the Birmingham Bears and Worcestershire rivalry to the broader venue history reveals distinct statistical patterns. The 92 matches contested between these two teams represent a significant portion of the 596 total T20 Blast fixtures held at County Ground, New Road since 2014. This head-to-head series spans from the venue's inaugural match on 2014-05-16 through to the most recent contest on 2026-05-31, covering over a decade of competition.

While Northamptonshire leads all teams with 110 matches played at this ground, the frequency of Birmingham Bears versus Worcestershire encounters underscores the intensity of this local derby. The venue has hosted a wide range of scoring environments, which both franchises have experienced. Somerset's highest team total of 265/5, achieved on 2022-07-09, demonstrates the batting-friendly conditions that can emerge at New Road. Conversely, Essex's lowest team total of 10/0 on 2020-08-27 highlights the potential for dramatic collapses.

Individual brilliance has also defined matches at this venue, influencing the outcomes of many Birmingham Bears and Worcestershire clashes. LJ Wright recorded the highest individual batting score of 153 on 2014-07-25, setting a benchmark for batting performances. On the bowling front, CN Ackermann achieved the best bowling figures of 7/18 on 2019-08-07, showcasing the impact of a dominant spell. These records provide context for the statistical extremes observed in the head-to-head series.

The data indicates that while the venue supports high-scoring games, it also rewards disciplined bowling. The contrast between the highest and lowest team totals suggests that pitch conditions can vary significantly across the 596 matches. For analysts tracking this rivalry, the 92-match sample size offers a robust dataset for evaluating team performance trends over time. The consistency of these teams' presence at County Ground, New Road makes their head-to-head record a key indicator of form within the T20 Blast league.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total recorded at County Ground, New Road?

The highest team total is 265/5, set by Somerset on 9 July 2022.

Who holds the record for the highest individual score at this venue?

LJ Wright holds the record with a score of 153, achieved on 25 July 2014.

What are the best bowling figures at County Ground, New Road?

CN Ackermann recorded the best bowling figures of 7/18 on 7 August 2019.

Which team has played the most matches at this venue?

Northamptonshire is the most active team, having played 110 matches at the venue.

When was the first T20 Blast match played at County Ground, New Road?

The first match took place on 16 May 2014.

Summary

County Ground, New Road has hosted 596 T20 Blast matches between 2014 and 2026. Key records include Somerset's highest team total of 265/5, Essex's lowest team total of 10/0, LJ Wright's highest individual score of 153, and CN Ackermann's best bowling figures of 7/18. Northamptonshire is the most frequent participant with 110 matches.

See also