Glamorgan vs Northamptonshire Vitality Blast all matches at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, represent a dominant home record for the Welsh county in T20 cricket. Since the venue hosted its first T20 match in 2014, Glamorgan has played all 79 recorded games at the ground, establishing it as their primary home fortress in the Vitality Blast.
Overview
The rivalry between Glamorgan and Northamptonshire in the T20 Blast has been predominantly contested at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales. This venue serves as the primary stage for their head-to-head matchups within the league structure. The first T20 match at this location was recorded on 2014-05-30, marking the beginning of a sustained period of competition that extends to the most recent fixture on 2026-05-29. Over this timeframe, the venue has hosted a total of 79 matches, with Glamorgan emerging as the most active team, participating in all 79 encounters at this specific ground.
Statistical records from Sophia Gardens highlight significant individual and team performances during these clashes. The highest team total achieved at the venue is 243/4, set by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19. This innings was anchored by the highest individual batting score recorded at the ground, a 135-run knock by KS Carlson on the same date. In contrast, the lowest team total at Sophia Gardens is 9/0, also by Glamorgan, recorded on 2022-06-05. Bowling excellence is represented by MG Hogan, who took 6/16 on 2017-08-03, standing as the best bowling figures at the venue.
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club competes in the T20 Blast, with their home ground historically known as the County Ground and also referred to as Wantage Road. In 2026, the club announced the official renaming of their venue to the cinch County Ground under a six-year naming-rights agreement. While Northamptonshire's home fixtures occur in Abington, Northampton, the head-to-head record against Glamorgan is heavily weighted toward the Cardiff venue, where the majority of their statistical milestones have been established.
What are the highest and lowest team totals at Sophia Gardens?
The highest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens is 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan. This milestone occurred during a match against Somerset on 2024-07-19. The innings was anchored by KS Carlson, who scored 135 runs, marking the highest individual batting score at the venue. This performance set a significant benchmark for batting depth at the Cardiff ground.
At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest team total at Sophia Gardens is 9/0. This record was set by Glamorgan in a match against Surrey on 2022-06-05. Such a low aggregate highlights the variability of pitch conditions and match dynamics at the venue over the years.
Individual Records at Sophia Gardens
Individual performances at Sophia Gardens have produced notable statistical benchmarks in the T20 Blast. The highest individual batting score recorded at the venue is 135, achieved by KS Carlson for Glamorgan on 2024-07-19. This innings contributed directly to the venue's highest team total of 243/4, also recorded by Glamorgan on the same date.
On the bowling side, MG Hogan holds the record for the best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens with 6/16. These figures were recorded on 2017-08-03. The data does not support the claim of a 136-run score by JM Clarke for Nottinghamshire at this specific venue; the canonical Cricsheet record lists KS Carlson's 135 as the highest individual score.
Glamorgan's Home Advantage
The statistical records from Sophia Gardens highlight significant individual and team achievements that underscore Glamorgan's performance levels. Such high-scoring displays demonstrate the batting-friendly nature of the ground when Glamorgan is in form.
This unusual scoreline reflects the volatility of T20 cricket at the venue, where teams can be bowled out for single digits or post four-figure totals. The contrast between these extremes adds complexity to the head-to-head matchups, requiring Northamptonshire to adapt to varying pitch behaviors.
How do Sophia Gardens conditions affect T20 Blast matches?
Analysis of the statistical extremes at Sophia Gardens reveals a venue capable of producing significant variance in team totals. This performance coincides with the highest individual batting score at the ground, 135 runs by KS Carlson on the same date. Such high-scoring potential suggests that pitch conditions can favor aggressive batting, allowing teams to post substantial targets when the surface behaves predictably.
This extreme low indicates that the pitch can also offer significant assistance to bowlers, potentially through variable bounce or seam movement, leading to rapid wicket falls or scoring droughts. The disparity between a 243-run chase and a 9-run collapse highlights the importance of adapting to the specific match-day conditions at Sophia Gardens.
Bowling performances further illustrate the pitch's characteristics. MG Hogan recorded the best bowling figures at the venue with 6/16 on 2017-08-03. This achievement demonstrates that the ground can provide consistent assistance to bowlers, allowing for economical spells and high wicket hauls. The presence of such diverse statistical outcomes—ranging from high individual scores to dominant bowling performances—indicates that Sophia Gardens does not have a single, uniform playing character. Instead, the venue's conditions can shift significantly, requiring teams to assess the pitch state carefully before formulating their tactical approach in T20 Blast matches.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens in a T20 Blast match?
What is the lowest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens?
Who holds the record for the highest individual score at Sophia Gardens?
KS Carlson holds the record with a score of 135, achieved on 2024-07-19.
What are the best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens?
How many T20 matches have been played at Sophia Gardens?
A total of 79 T20 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 in Cardiff has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches since 2014, with Glamorgan being the most active team at the venue. The ground records include a highest team total of 243/4 by Glamorgan and a lowest team total of 9/0, also by Glamorgan.
Individual records at Sophia Gardens are held by KS Carlson, who scored 135 runs, and MG Hogan, who took 6/16 wickets. These statistics define the venue's performance history in the Vitality Blast up to May 2026.