Glamorgan vs Sussex Vitality Blast top scorers at Sophia Gardens highlight a venue defined by extreme statistical outliers, including the lowest team total in T20 Blast history. The ground in Cardiff has hosted 79 matches since its first T20 fixture in 2014, serving as the primary home for Glamorgan.
The venue's records are anchored by Glamorgan's dominance, with the team accounting for both the highest team total of 243/4 and the lowest of 9/0. These figures, along with individual records set by players like KS Carlson and MG Hogan, define the statistical landscape of the Glamorgan vs Sussex matchup at this location.
Overview
The Glamorgan versus Sussex rivalry forms a significant component of the T20 Blast competition, with Sophia Gardens in Cardiff serving as the primary venue for their encounters. This head-to-head matchup is analyzed within the broader context of the T20 Blast league, which has utilized the ground for T20 cricket since 2014. The venue has hosted a substantial volume of matches, providing a rich dataset for statistical analysis of team performances and individual records.
Statistical records from Cricsheet indicate that Sophia Gardens has hosted 79 matches in total, with the first recorded match taking place on 2014-05-30 and the most recent on 2026-05-29. Glamorgan is the most active team at this venue, having participated in all 79 matches. This high frequency of hosting allows for a detailed examination of batting and bowling trends specific to the Cardiff pitch conditions over the twelve-year period.
What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens?
The highest team total at Sophia Gardens is 243/4, set by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19. This score stands as the benchmark for batting dominance at the venue according to Cricsheet records. The innings was anchored by a century from KS Carlson, who scored 135 runs in that same match. This individual performance remains the highest individual batting score recorded at the ground.
Contrasting with the high-scoring affair in 2024, the lowest team total at Sophia Gardens is 9/0, also achieved by Glamorgan. This record was set on 2022-06-05. The disparity between the highest and lowest totals highlights the variable nature of the pitch conditions at the Cardiff venue. While 243/4 suggests a flat track favoring stroke-play, the 9-run total indicates instances where the ball behaved unpredictably or batting collapsed early.
Bowling excellence at Sophia Gardens is exemplified by MG Hogan's figures of 6/16. These best bowling figures were recorded on 2017-08-03. Hogan's performance demonstrates that the wicket can offer significant assistance to seamers, particularly when the ball holds its length. The combination of Hogan's bowling record and Carlson's batting record illustrates the dual potential of the surface for both batsmen and bowlers.
Glamorgan is the most active team at the venue, having played 79 matches at Sophia Gardens. The first match at the ground took place on 2014-05-30, and the most recent match was on 2026-05-29. This extensive history provides a robust dataset for analyzing team and individual performances. The records cited here are derived from this comprehensive set of matches, ensuring accuracy in statistical comparisons.
Top Individual Performances
Individual brilliance at Sophia Gardens is defined by the record-breaking batting display of KS Carlson. On 2024-07-19, Carlson scored 135 runs for Glamorgan, establishing the highest individual batting score in the venue's T20 Blast history. This monumental innings was the driving force behind Glamorgan's highest team total of 243/4, achieved on the same date. The performance underscores the explosive potential of the Cardiff pitch when conditions favor the batsman, with Carlson's century standing as the benchmark for individual excellence in the head-to-head rivalry.
On the bowling front, MG Hogan delivered the most dominant spell recorded at the ground. On 2017-08-03, Hogan claimed figures of 6/16, setting the standard for best bowling performance at Sophia Gardens. This achievement highlights the ability of the surface to assist seam and swing bowlers, particularly when the ball holds its shape. Hogan's six-wicket haul remains the pinnacle of individual bowling records in the Glamorgan versus Sussex encounters, demonstrating how a single bowler can dismantle an opposing lineup.
These individual milestones frame the statistical extremes of the rivalry. While Carlson's 135 represents the offensive ceiling, Hogan's 6/16 illustrates the defensive dominance possible at the venue. The gap between these records reflects the varying conditions across the 79 matches played since 2014-05-30. Analysts tracking player form at Sophia Gardens use these benchmarks to evaluate current performers against the historical bests set by Carlson and Hogan.
Glamorgan's Home Advantage
With 79 matches recorded at Sophia Gardens, Glamorgan holds the status of the most active team at this Cardiff venue. This volume of fixtures establishes the ground as the primary stage for the Blue's T20 Blast campaigns since the first match was played on 2014-05-30. The sheer number of games hosted provides a substantial dataset for analyzing performance trends against visiting sides like Sussex. As the dominant host, Glamorgan's statistical footprint at Sophia Gardens is far more extensive than that of any other franchise, making the venue a critical factor in their overall league standing and head-to-head records.
The frequency of play at Sophia Gardens has produced some of the most extreme scoring environments in the T20 Blast. The highest team total recorded at the venue is 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19. This performance highlights the batting-friendly conditions that can emerge during high-volume hosting periods. In contrast, the lowest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens is 9/0, also by Glamorgan, which occurred on 2022-06-05. These statistical extremes demonstrate the volatility of the pitch and weather conditions over the 79-match span. For analysts tracking Glamorgan's home advantage, these outliers are essential for understanding the range of possible outcomes when facing Sussex or other opponents.
Individual brilliance at Sophia Gardens is defined by the records set during these 79 encounters. The highest individual batting score is 135, posted by KS Carlson on 2024-07-19, coinciding with the team's highest total. On the bowling front, MG Hogan delivered the best bowling figures of 6/16 on 2017-08-03. These performances underscore the impact of key players in shaping the head-to-head dynamics. The data from Cricsheet confirms that Glamorgan's dominance in match count correlates with a high frequency of record-breaking individual efforts. This depth of statistical evidence supports the view that Sophia Gardens is a venue where Glamorgan's top performers have consistently influenced the result, creating a challenging environment for Sussex when they visit.
How do these records compare to other T20 Blast venues?
Comparing Sophia Gardens to other T20 Blast venues requires examining the specific statistical extremes recorded at this Cardiff ground. The highest team total of 243/4 by Glamorgan, achieved on 2024-07-19, represents a significant benchmark for batting dominance in the league. This score, supported by KS Carlson’s 135 runs, highlights the venue’s capacity for high-scoring encounters. In contrast, the lowest team total of 9/0 by Glamorgan on 2022-06-05 illustrates the pitch’s potential for defensive or bowler-friendly conditions. These two extremes—243/4 and 9/0—demonstrate the variability of match outcomes at Sophia Gardens.
The bowling record at this venue further contextualizes its competitive balance. MG Hogan’s best bowling figures of 6/16, recorded on 2017-08-03, stand out as a dominant individual performance. This achievement underscores the potential for bowlers to seize control, complementing the batting records. With 79 total matches played at Sophia Gardens from 2014-05-30 to 2026-05-29, the data provides a robust sample size for these comparisons. Glamorgan, as the most active team with all 79 matches, has contributed significantly to these statistical milestones.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens?
The highest team total is 243/4, set by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19.
Who holds the record for the highest individual batting 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?
The best bowling figures are 6/16, recorded by MG Hogan on 2017-08-03.
When was the first T20 match played 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 the venue, having played 79 matches.
Summary
Sophia Gardens has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches from 2014 to 2026, with Glamorgan as the most frequent participant. The venue records include a highest team total of 243/4 by Glamorgan, a lowest team total of 9/0 by Glamorgan, a highest individual score of 135 by KS Carlson, and best bowling figures of 6/16 by MG Hogan.