Sophia Gardens in Cardiff has served as the exclusive T20 Blast venue for the Essex vs Glamorgan head-to-head matchup since the league's inception in 2014. As the home ground for Glamorgan, the stadium has hosted 79 matches in the Vitality Blast, making it the most active team venue in this specific rivalry context.
Overview
Sophia Gardens in Cardiff stands as the primary venue for the Vitality Blast rivalry between Essex and Glamorgan. The ground has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches since the competition's inception at the venue in 2014, with the most recent fixture recorded on 2026-05-29. As the home ground for Glamorgan, the venue reflects the team's dominance in terms of match frequency, with Glamorgan appearing in all 79 recorded contests at this location.
The statistical profile of Sophia Gardens reveals significant variance in team performances. The highest team total recorded at the venue is 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19. This innings also produced the highest individual batting score at the ground, with KS Carlson scoring 135 runs. Conversely, the lowest team total is 9/0, also by Glamorgan, recorded on 2022-06-05. These extremes highlight the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket at this Cardiff venue.
What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens?
The highest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens is 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan in a T20 Blast encounter against Somerset on 2024-07-19. This innings represents the peak scoring output for any franchise at this Cardiff venue since the first match was played on 2014-05-30. The chase demonstrates the venue's capacity to reward aggressive batting when conditions align, with Glamorgan accumulating nearly 244 runs in their 20-over allocation.
Central to this record-breaking performance was KS Carlson, who scored 135 runs in the same match. Carlson's century provided the backbone of the 243/4 total, highlighting the importance of individual brilliance in maximizing the pitch's potential. His contribution stands as the highest individual batting score at Sophia Gardens, linking the team's collective success with a standout personal milestone.
With 79 total matches played at the venue, this 2024 performance remains the benchmark for batting dominance. The statistical profile of Sophia Gardens reveals significant variance in team totals, ranging from this high of 243/4 to a low of 9/0 by Glamorgan on 2022-06-05. Such fluctuations underscore the dynamic nature of T20 Blast cricket at this ground, where both explosive batting and tight bowling can define the outcome.
Lowest team totals and bowling records
The lowest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens is 9/0, achieved by Glamorgan against Surrey on 2022-06-05. This figure represents an extreme outlier in T20 Blast history, highlighting the potential for batting collapses on the Cardiff surface. Such a low score suggests that under specific conditions, the pitch can offer significant challenges to the batting lineup, allowing bowlers to dominate with minimal runs conceded.
Bowling excellence at the venue is exemplified by MG Hogan’s best bowling figures of 6/16, recorded on 2017-08-03. These figures demonstrate the capacity for individual dominance when the ball behaves favorably for the bowler. Hogan’s performance stands as a benchmark for consistency and impact, showcasing how a single bowler can control an innings at this ground.
These statistical extremes—the 9/0 total and the 6/16 bowling figures—define the dual nature of Sophia Gardens. The pitch can produce both batting-friendly environments, as seen in the highest team total of 243/4, and conditions that heavily favor bowlers. This variability makes it a strategic challenge for teams, requiring adaptability in both batting order and bowling selection. The contrast between these records underscores the dynamic character of the venue, where match outcomes can hinge on how well teams read the pitch conditions on any given day.
How does Sophia Gardens compare to other T20 Blast venues?
The Vitality Blast landscape encompasses numerous county grounds, each with distinct statistical profiles. Sophia Gardens in Cardiff presents a unique case study due to the concentration of matches hosted there. With 79 total matches recorded at the venue, the data reflects a significant volume of T20 action concentrated in one location. This high match count is directly attributable to Glamorgan, the most active team at the venue, which has played all 79 matches. Such a dominance in hosting frequency distinguishes Sophia Gardens from other county venues where home and away fixtures might be more evenly distributed among multiple franchises over time.
Statistical extremes at Sophia Gardens highlight the volatility inherent in T20 cricket. The highest team total of 243/4 by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19 demonstrates the scoring potential of the pitch. This performance was anchored by KS Carlson, who scored 135 runs in the same match. Conversely, the lowest team total of 9/0 by Glamorgan on 2022-06-05 illustrates the fragility of batting lineups under pressure. These contrasting records—a massive 243/4 and a minuscule 9/0—occurring at the same venue underscore the varying conditions and match dynamics experienced by teams. The range between these totals is substantial, offering insights into how different match situations can yield vastly different outcomes at Sophia Gardens.
Bowling performances at the venue also contribute to its statistical identity. MG Hogan achieved the best bowling figures of 6/16 on 2017-08-03. This achievement stands out in the context of T20 bowling, where taking six wickets in a single innings is a notable feat. The combination of high individual batting scores and exceptional bowling spells indicates that Sophia Gardens provides opportunities for standout individual performances. These records, spanning from 2014 to 2026, offer a comprehensive view of the venue's impact on player statistics. The data from Cricsheet confirms these figures, providing a reliable basis for comparing Sophia Gardens with other T20 Blast venues. The venue's ability to produce both high-scoring chases and low-scoring thrills makes it a compelling location for analyzing T20 trends.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens?
The highest team total at Sophia Gardens is 243/4, scored by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19.
Who holds the record for the highest individual batting score at Sophia Gardens?
KS Carlson holds the record for the highest individual batting score at Sophia Gardens with 135 runs, achieved on 2024-07-19.
What are the best bowling figures recorded at Sophia Gardens?
The best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens are 6/16, bowled by MG Hogan on 2017-08-03.
When did the first T20 match take place at Sophia Gardens?
The first T20 match at Sophia Gardens took place on 2014-05-30.
Which team has played the most matches at Sophia Gardens?
Glamorgan is the most active team at Sophia Gardens, having played 79 matches at the venue.
Summary
Sophia Gardens has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches between 2014 and 2026, with Glamorgan being the most frequent participant. The venue's records include a highest team total of 243/4 by Glamorgan (2024-07-19), a lowest team total of 9/0 by Glamorgan (2022-06-05), a highest individual score of 135 by KS Carlson (2024-07-19), and best bowling figures of 6/16 by MG Hogan (2017-08-03).