Sophia Gardens in Cardiff is the home ground of Glamorgan in the Vitality Blast, hosting 79 T20 matches since the venue's first fixture in 2014. The stadium is notable for recording the league's lowest team total of 9/0 by Glamorgan, as well as hosting the highest individual score of 135 runs.
The venue has been the most active host for Glamorgan, with all 79 recorded matches involving the county. Key records include a highest team total of 243/4 and the best bowling figures of 6/16, establishing Sophia Gardens as a statistically significant venue in the T20 Blast.
Overview
Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, serves as the primary home venue for Glamorgan in the Vitality Blast, the premier domestic T20 competition in England and Wales. The ground has established itself as a consistent fixture on the tournament calendar since its inaugural T20 match was played on 30 May 2014. Over the subsequent twelve-year period, the stadium has hosted a total of 79 matches, with the most recent fixture recorded on 29 May 2026. This volume of games underscores the venue's central role in the county's T20 strategy and its importance to the broader Blast schedule.
As the most active team at the venue, Glamorgan has played all 79 recorded matches at Sophia Gardens. This dominance in hosting duties provides the county with significant home-ground advantage, allowing them to tailor pitch conditions and tactical approaches to suit the specific characteristics of the Cardiff ground. The consistency of Glamorgan's presence at this venue makes it a key location for analyzing team performance trends over the long term. The data reflects a continuous usage pattern from the 2014 debut through to the 2026 season, highlighting the stadium's reliability and capacity to host high-quality T20 cricket.
The statistical record at Sophia Gardens reveals a wide variance in team totals, indicating a pitch that can offer distinct challenges and opportunities depending on the match conditions. The highest team total recorded at the venue is 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan on 19 July 2024. This performance demonstrates the scoring potential available at the ground when the pitch favors the batsmen. Conversely, the lowest team total is 9/0, also by Glamorgan, recorded on 5 June 2022. This extreme contrast between the highest and lowest scores highlights the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket at Sophia Gardens and the importance of adapting to specific match-day conditions.
What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens?
The highest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens stands at 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan in a match against Somerset on 2024-07-19. This innings represents the peak scoring output at the venue within the T20 Blast competition. The same match also produced the highest individual batting score at the ground, with KS Carlson scoring 135 runs. This dual record highlights the significance of the July 2019 encounter in the venue's statistical history.
At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest team total at Sophia Gardens is 9/0, set by Glamorgan against Surrey on 2022-06-05. This score reflects a distinct contrast in batting conditions or match situations compared to the high-scoring 2024 fixture. The range between the highest and lowest totals illustrates the variability of match outcomes at the Cardiff venue since the first T20 match was played there in 2014.
Bowling records at the venue are also notable, with MG Hogan achieving the best bowling figures of 6/16 on 2017-08-03. These individual performances contribute to the broader statistical profile of Sophia Gardens as a T20 Blast venue. The data covers 79 total matches, with the most recent contest taking place on 2026-05-29.
Individual Records: Batting and Bowling
Individual Records: Batting and Bowling
The most significant individual batting performance at Sophia Gardens belongs to KS Carlson, who scored 135 runs on 2024-07-19. This innings stands as the highest individual score recorded in the venue's T20 Blast history. Carlson's century was a pivotal component of Glamorgan's highest team total of 243/4, achieved on the same date. The alignment of the highest individual score and the highest team total on a single match day highlights the impact of Carlson's performance on the overall team output.
On the bowling front, MG Hogan holds the record for the best bowling figures at the venue. Hogan took 6 wickets for 16 runs on 2017-08-03. This performance remains the benchmark for individual bowling excellence at Sophia Gardens in the Vitality Blast. The contrast between Hogan's economical spell and Carlson's high-scoring innings illustrates the range of individual achievements possible on this pitch.
Glamorgan's Home Advantage
Sophia Gardens has served as the primary home ground for Glamorgan in the T20 Blast since the venue hosted its first match on 2014-05-30. The franchise has accumulated the highest number of appearances at this location, participating in all 79 recorded contests up to the most recent fixture on 2026-05-29. This extensive sample size provides a robust statistical foundation for evaluating the team's performance trends over more than a decade of competition.
The team's batting capabilities are highlighted by the venue's highest team total of 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19. This innings was anchored by the highest individual batting score at the ground, 135 runs by KS Carlson, who contributed significantly to the chase or set during that specific encounter. Such high-scoring performances demonstrate the potential for aggressive batting displays when conditions favor the top order.
Conversely, the team has also experienced extreme fluctuations in form, evidenced by the lowest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens. Glamorgan was bowled out for just 9 runs on 2022-06-05, a collapse that underscores the volatility inherent in T20 cricket. The contrast between the 243/4 high and the 9/0 low illustrates the range of outcomes possible within the same franchise's history at this specific venue.
Bowling performances at Sophia Gardens have also produced notable individual milestones. MG Hogan recorded the best bowling figures at the venue with 6/16 on 2017-08-03. This performance remains a benchmark for bowlers aiming to dominate the Glamorgan lineup or opposing teams playing at the Cardiff ground. The combination of these batting and bowling records defines the statistical landscape for Glamorgan's home advantage in the Vitality Blast.
How does Sophia Gardens compare to other T20 Blast grounds?
Comparing Sophia Gardens to other T20 Blast venues requires examining the specific statistical extremes recorded across the 79 matches held at the ground. The venue has hosted games from 2014 to 2026, providing a substantial dataset for analyzing pitch behavior and scoring trends relative to the broader league. The highest team total of 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19, demonstrates the ground's capacity for high-scoring encounters. This total was underpinned by KS Carlson's individual score of 135, indicating that the pitch can offer consistent run-scoring opportunities for batsmen in favorable conditions.
Conversely, the lowest team total of 9/0 by Glamorgan on 2022-06-05 highlights the venue's potential for extreme volatility. Such a low score suggests that the surface can present significant challenges, potentially favoring bowlers or reacting unpredictably. The contrast between a 243/4 chase and a 9/0 collapse illustrates the wide range of outcomes possible at Sophia Gardens. This variability is a key differentiator when comparing the ground to other T20 Blast stadiums, where pitch consistency may vary.
Bowling performances also reflect the ground's characteristics. MG Hogan's best bowling figures of 6/16 on 2017-08-03 indicate that the pitch can offer substantial rewards for bowlers, particularly in specific match conditions. The presence of such notable bowling records alongside high batting totals suggests that Sophia Gardens does not heavily favor one discipline over the other, but rather depends on the specific match day conditions. These statistical extremes provide a comprehensive view of the venue's behavior within the T20 Blast context.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens?
The highest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens is 243/4 by Glamorgan, achieved on 2024-07-19.
Who holds the record for the highest individual score at Sophia Gardens?
KS Carlson holds the record for the highest individual batting score at Sophia Gardens with 135 runs, scored on 2024-07-19.
What is the best bowling performance at Sophia Gardens?
The best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens are 6/16 by MG Hogan, recorded on 2017-08-03.
What is the lowest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens?
The lowest team total at Sophia Gardens is 9/0 by Glamorgan, set on 2022-06-05.
How many T20 Blast matches have been played at Sophia Gardens?
A total of 79 T20 Blast matches have been played at Sophia Gardens, with the first match taking place on 2014-05-30 and the most recent on 2026-05-29.
Summary
Sophia Gardens has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches since 2014, with Glamorgan as the most active team. The venue records include a highest team total of 243/4, a lowest team total of 9/0, a highest individual score of 135 by KS Carlson, and best bowling figures of 6/16 by MG Hogan.