Sophia Gardens in Cardiff has hosted 79 Vitality Blast matches since the venue’s first T20 fixture on 30 May 2014, establishing it as a primary stage for Glamorgan’s home campaigns in the English county T20 competition.

The ground holds the Vitality Blast record for the highest individual score, set by KS Carlson, and features the competition’s lowest team total, both achieved by Glamorgan. The venue continues to be a regular fixture in the schedule, with the most recent match recorded on 29 May 2026.

Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire Vitality Blast all matches. Photo: John Sutton / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Overview

Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, serves as the primary home venue for Glamorgan in the Vitality Blast. The ground has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches between 2014-05-30 and 2026-05-29. Glamorgan is the most active team at the venue, having played all 79 recorded matches during this period. The venue's T20 Blast history began in 2014, establishing it as a key fixture in the county competition.

What are the highest and lowest team totals at Sophia Gardens?

Team scoring records at Sophia Gardens are defined by the 2024-07-19 encounter between Glamorgan and Somerset. On that date, Glamorgan posted the venue's highest team total of 243/4. This performance set the benchmark for batting output in the T20 Blast at this Cardiff ground. The chase or defense of such totals remains a key tactical consideration for visiting franchises.

At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest team total recorded is 9/0 by Glamorgan. This scoreline occurred during a match against Surrey on 2022-06-05. A total of 9/0 indicates a dominant bowling performance or a batting collapse, marking a statistical extreme in the venue's history. These two figures—243/4 and 9/0—frame the range of team performances observed across the 79 matches played at the venue.

The highest individual batting score contributing to the team record was 135 by KS Carlson. This innings was part of the 243/4 total against Somerset on 2024-07-19. Carlson's century provided the foundation for Glamorgan's highest team score. In contrast, bowling excellence is highlighted by MG Hogan's best figures of 6/16. Hogan achieved this performance on 2017-08-03. These individual milestones underscore the variability in player impact at Sophia Gardens.

Glamorgan is the most active team at the venue, having played all 79 matches recorded in the dataset. As the home franchise, their presence dominates the head-to-head statistics. The venue has hosted T20 Blast action since 2014, with the first match taking place on 2014-05-30. The most recent match occurred on 2026-05-29. This continuous usage has established Sophia Gardens as a key fixture in the Welsh T20 landscape.

Who holds the individual batting and bowling records?

Who holds the individual batting and bowling records?

The most significant individual batting performance at Sophia Gardens belongs to KS Carlson. On 2024-07-19, Carlson scored 135 runs for Glamorgan. This innings was the primary contributor to the venue's highest team total of 243/4, achieved by the same side on that date. The score of 135 stands as the highest individual batting score recorded in the 79 matches played at this venue between 2014 and 2026. Carlson's performance highlights the scoring potential available to batsmen during peak conditions at the Cardiff ground.

On the bowling front, the best figures recorded at Sophia Gardens are 6/16. These statistics were achieved by MG Hogan on 2017-08-03. Hogan's spell represents the most dominant individual bowling performance in the Vitality Blast history at this venue. The combination of six wickets for just 16 runs demonstrates the ability of bowlers to exploit the pitch conditions to restrict scoring and take regular wickets. This record has stood since August 2017, remaining the benchmark for individual bowling excellence at the ground.

Both records are held by players representing Glamorgan, the most active team at the venue with 79 matches played. The contrast between Carlson's 135 and Hogan's 6/16 illustrates the range of individual brilliance required to dominate in T20 Blast cricket at Sophia Gardens. These individual milestones complement the team scoring records, providing a complete picture of performance extremes at the venue.

Match history and venue statistics

Sophia Gardens has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches between 2014 and 2026. The first contest at the venue took place on 30 May 2014, with the most recent fixture occurring on 29 May 2026. This span covers over a decade of county T20 cricket, establishing the ground as a consistent fixture in the Vitality Blast calendar.

Glamorgan is the most active team at the venue, having played all 79 recorded matches. As the home franchise, the Welsh county has utilized Sophia Gardens extensively throughout the tournament's history. This dominance in match count reflects the venue's primary role as Glamorgan's home ground for the competition.

Team scoring records at Sophia Gardens are defined by a high of 243/4, set by Glamorgan on 19 July 2024. This total represents the highest team score in the venue's T20 Blast history. At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest team total recorded is 9/0, also achieved by Glamorgan on 5 June 2022. These figures illustrate the varying conditions and match dynamics experienced at the Cardiff venue.

The highest individual batting score contributing to the venue's records is 135 runs, scored by KS Carlson on 19 July 2024. This performance coincided with Glamorgan's highest team total, highlighting the impact of individual brilliance on the team's overall output.

On the bowling front, the best figures recorded at Sophia Gardens are 6/16, achieved by MG Hogan on 3 August 2017. This spell stands out as the most dominant individual bowling performance in the venue's T20 Blast history.

Both records are held by players representing Glamorgan, underscoring the home team's significant influence on the statistical landscape at Sophia Gardens. The data confirms that Glamorgan players have been central to the most notable individual achievements at the venue.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens in the Vitality Blast?

The highest team total is 243/4, scored by Glamorgan on 19 July 2024.

What is the lowest team total at Sophia Gardens in the Vitality Blast?

The lowest team total is 9/0, also scored by Glamorgan on 5 June 2022.

Who holds the highest individual batting score at Sophia Gardens?

KS Carlson holds the record with a score of 135, achieved on 19 July 2024.

Who has the best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens?

MG Hogan holds the record with figures of 6/16, bowled on 3 August 2017.

How many Vitality Blast matches have been played at Sophia Gardens?

A total of 79 Vitality Blast matches have been played at Sophia Gardens as of May 2026.

Summary

Sophia Gardens has hosted 79 Vitality Blast matches between May 2014 and May 2026. Glamorgan is the most active team at the venue, holding both the highest individual score (135 by KS Carlson) and the lowest team total (9/0). MG Hogan recorded the best bowling figures of 6/16 in August 2017.

See also