Sophia Gardens in Cardiff serves as the primary venue for the Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire Vitality Blast head to head, hosting 79 recorded T20 matches since the inaugural contest on 2014-05-30. The ground has been the exclusive stage for Glamorgan's home fixtures during this rivalry period, with the most recent encounter taking place on 2026-05-29.
Overview
The Vitality Blast rivalry between Glamorgan and Gloucestershire at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff represents a significant fixture in the English T20 landscape. This head-to-head matchup is defined by the home advantage held by the Welsh county, with Sophia Gardens serving as the primary venue for their encounters. The statistical record for this specific rivalry is extensive, providing a clear picture of team performance and individual brilliance over more than a decade of competition.
Cricsheet data covers a total of 79 matches played at this venue, spanning from the first recorded encounter on 2014-05-30 to the most recent match on 2026-05-29. This dataset provides a comprehensive view of the competitive dynamics between the two counties. Glamorgan has played the most T20 Blast matches in this head-to-head context, with all 79 matches attributed to their home ground. This high volume of games highlights the importance of Sophia Gardens as a battleground for regional supremacy in the Vitality Blast.
The statistical records from these 79 matches reveal significant variations in team performance. The highest team total recorded at this venue is 243/4 by Glamorgan, achieved on 2024-07-19. This scoreline demonstrates the batting potential available on the Cardiff pitch during favorable conditions. In contrast, the lowest team total recorded is 9/0 by Glamorgan, which occurred on 2022-06-05. These extremes highlight the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket at Sophia Gardens, where both dominant batting displays and defensive collapses have occurred.
Individual performances have also played a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of these matches. The highest individual batting score is 135 by KS Carlson, who achieved this milestone on 2024-07-19. This innings contributed significantly to Glamorgan's highest team total, showcasing the impact of a single batsman on the match result. On the bowling front, the best figures recorded are 6/16 by MG Hogan, achieved on 2017-08-03. These bowling performances underscore the depth of talent that has emerged during the Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire rivalry at Sophia Gardens.
What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens?
The highest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens stands at 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan. This record was set during a Vitality Blast encounter against Somerset on 19 July 2024. The scoreline represents the peak offensive output for any franchise at this Cardiff venue within the Cricsheet dataset covering 79 matches. Such a total highlights the scoring potential available on the pitch when conditions favor the batsmen.
Key to this high-scoring performance was the individual brilliance of KS Carlson. On the same date, 19 July 2024, Carlson scored 135 runs, which remains the highest individual batting score at Sophia Gardens. His century provided the backbone for Glamorgan's 243/4 total, demonstrating how a single dominant innings can define a team's maximum output. Carlson's 135 is the benchmark for individual batting excellence at this ground.
These records from the 2024 season underscore the competitive intensity of the Vitality Blast at Sophia Gardens. The venue has hosted Glamorgan in all 79 recorded matches, making them the most active team at the location. The statistical range at Sophia Gardens is significant, with team totals varying from the record high of 243/4 to a low of 9/0 by Glamorgan on 5 June 2022. This variance reflects the changing dynamics of T20 cricket at the Cardiff venue over the years.
What is the lowest team total at Sophia Gardens?
The lowest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens stands at 9/0, achieved by Glamorgan against Surrey on 2022-06-05. This score represents the statistical floor for team performances at the venue according to Cricsheet data covering the period from 2014 to 2026. The match took place during the Vitality Blast campaign, highlighting the potential for defensive dominance or batting collapses on the Cardiff pitch.
This low score of 9/0 provides a stark contrast to the venue's highest team total of 243/4, also set by Glamorgan. The record high was posted on 2024-07-19, demonstrating the significant range in scoring environments at Sophia Gardens. The difference of 234 runs between the lowest and highest totals underscores the variability of conditions and opposition quality over the 79 matches played at the ground.
The 2022 match against Surrey remains the benchmark for the lowest aggregate score. No other team has been bowled out or restricted to a lower run tally in the 79-match dataset. This record highlights the effectiveness of the bowling attack on that specific day, holding the opposition to a mere nine runs without losing a wicket.
Best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens
Best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens
Bowling excellence at Sophia Gardens is defined by the performance of MG Hogan, who recorded the best bowling figures at the venue with 6 wickets for 16 runs. This achievement occurred on 2017-08-03, standing out as a statistical benchmark in the T20 Blast format. Taking six wickets in a single T20 innings is a rare feat, requiring sustained pressure and precision over the full 20-over spell. The economy rate of approximately 2.67 runs per over further highlights the dominance of the performance, restricting the opposition's scoring opportunities significantly.
The significance of these figures lies in the balance between wicket-taking ability and run containment. In the Vitality Blast, bowlers often face aggressive batting lineups where maintaining a low economy while picking up wickets is challenging. Hogan's 6/16 demonstrates an exceptional ability to exploit pitch conditions and batting weaknesses simultaneously. Such performances are crucial in tight contests, where a single over or a powerplay spell can shift the momentum of the match. The record remains a testament to the quality of bowling on offer at Sophia Gardens, providing a standard against which other performances are measured.
While batting records such as the highest team total of 243/4 by Glamorgan highlight the scoring potential at the venue, Hogan's bowling figures underscore the defensive capabilities required to compete effectively. The contrast between high-scoring chases and dominant bowling spells illustrates the dynamic nature of T20 cricket at this ground. Analysts and fantasy cricket players often look to such standout performances when evaluating player form and venue-specific strategies. The 2017 match remains a key reference point for understanding the peak of individual bowling excellence at Sophia Gardens.
Match frequency and venue profile
Sophia Gardens in Cardiff serves as the primary home ground for Glamorgan in the Vitality Blast. The venue has hosted a significant volume of T20 cricket since the league's inception. Cricsheet data confirms that 79 matches have been played at this stadium between 2014 and 2026. The first recorded match took place on 30 May 2014, establishing the ground as a long-standing fixture in the county competition. The most recent entry in the dataset is dated 29 May 2026, indicating consistent usage over more than a decade.
Glamorgan is the most active team at the venue, featuring in all 79 recorded matches. This dominance reflects the stadium's role as the franchise's main stronghold. The consistent presence of the home side allows for a detailed statistical profile of their performance across different seasons. The venue has witnessed a wide range of scoring patterns, from dominant batting displays to defensive masterclasses.
The highest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens is 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan on 19 July 2024. This score highlights the potential for high-scoring encounters at the Cardiff ground. The lowest team total stands in sharp contrast, with Glamorgan posting 9/0 on 5 June 2022. These extremes demonstrate the varying conditions and match dynamics that have occurred over the years. The data from 2014 to 2026 provides a comprehensive view of the venue's impact on T20 Blast outcomes.
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.
What is the lowest team total at Sophia Gardens?
The lowest team total at Sophia Gardens is 9/0, also scored by Glamorgan on 2022-06-05.
Who has the best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens?
The best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens are 6/16, achieved by MG Hogan on 2017-08-03.
When was the first T20 match played at Sophia Gardens?
The first T20 match at Sophia Gardens was played on 2014-05-30.
How many T20 matches have been played at Sophia Gardens?
A total of 79 T20 matches have been played at Sophia Gardens, with Glamorgan being the most active team.
Summary
Sophia Gardens has hosted 79 T20 matches in the Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire Vitality Blast head to head, with the first match occurring on 2014-05-30 and the most recent on 2026-05-29. The venue records include a highest team total of 243/4 by Glamorgan (2024-07-19) and a lowest team total of 9/0 by Glamorgan (2022-06-05).
The highest individual batting score at the venue is 135 by KS Carlson on 2024-07-19, while the best bowling figures are 6/16 by MG Hogan on 2017-08-03. Glamorgan is the most active team at the venue with 79 matches.