Gloucestershire vs Northamptonshire Vitality Blast top scorers are defined by the statistical records at the cinch County Ground in Northampton, a venue that has hosted 518 T20 Blast matches since 2014. This ground serves as the home of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club and features among the most active T20 venues in England, with Somerset recording the highest match frequency.

The venue’s T20 history includes extreme scoring variations, from a highest team total of 265/5 by Somerset to a lowest total of 10/0 by Essex. Individual milestones include LJ Wright’s highest score of 153 and BW Sanderson’s best bowling figures of 6/8.

Gloucestershire vs Northamptonshire Vitality Blast top scorers. Photo: John Sutton / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Overview

The County Ground in Northampton serves as the primary venue for Northamptonshire County Cricket Club within the T20 Blast competition. The dataset covers 36 matches played at this ground between 2021-06-11 and 2026-05-29. Northamptonshire acted as the host for all 36 fixtures during this period. The venue has a broader history in limited-overs cricket, with the first recorded match taking place on 2014-05-18 and the most recent on 2026-05-31. In total, 518 matches have been played at the ground across various competitions.

Somerset is the most active team at the County Ground, having played 105 matches there. This frequency contributes to their presence in the venue's statistical records. The ground is located in the Abington area of Northampton, England. It is also known as Wantage Road. In 2026, Northamptonshire County Cricket Club announced that the ground would be officially renamed the cinch County Ground. This change is part of a six-year naming-rights agreement with cinch. The venue has also been used by Northampton Town F.C. from 1897 to 1994.

What is the highest team total at County Ground, Northampton?

The highest team total recorded at the County Ground, Northampton is 265/5, set by Somerset on 2022-07-09. This innings stands as the benchmark for batting dominance at the venue, surpassing other high-scoring encounters in the T20 Blast history at this ground. Somerset, which is the most active team at the venue with 105 matches played, has frequently utilized the pitch to post competitive scores. The 265/5 total reflects the scoring potential available when conditions favor the batsmen, contributing to the venue's reputation for producing varied match outcomes.

At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest team total at the venue is 10/0 by Essex on 2020-08-27. This scoreline highlights the extreme volatility possible in T20 cricket at Northampton, where a team can be bowled out for a minimal tally or remain unbeaten with a small score. The contrast between the highest and lowest totals underscores the importance of adaptability for teams playing at the County Ground. Bowlers have capitalized on specific conditions to restrict opposition batting lines, as evidenced by the 10-run collapse by Essex.

Individual performances have also defined records at this venue. The highest individual batting score is 153 by LJ Wright, achieved on 2014-07-25. This century remains a testament to the scoring opportunities available to top-order batsmen when the pitch offers consistent bounce and pace. On the bowling front, the best figures recorded are 6/8 by BW Sanderson on 2025-06-06. Such exceptional bowling spells demonstrate the potential for wicket-taking bursts, particularly when the ball grips off the surface or swings in the air. These individual milestones contribute to the statistical richness of the T20 Blast fixtures held at Northampton.

Who holds the batting and bowling records?

Who holds the batting and bowling records?

Individual performances have also defined records at this venue, with LJ Wright holding the mark for the highest individual batting score. Wright scored 153 runs for Somerset on 2014-07-25, a dominant display that remains the benchmark for batsmen at the County Ground. This innings stands as the highest individual total among the 518 matches recorded at the stadium, highlighting the scoring potential of the pitch during that period.

On the bowling front, BW Sanderson achieved the best bowling figures at the venue. Sanderson took 6 wickets for just 8 runs on 2025-06-06, demonstrating exceptional control and wicket-taking ability. These figures represent the most economical and impactful spell by a bowler in the Cricsheet data for Northampton, surpassing other notable performances in the venue's history.

The contrast between the highest team total of 265/5 by Somerset and the lowest team total of 10/0 by Essex underscores the variable conditions at the County Ground. While Somerset's 265/5 was achieved on 2022-07-09, Essex's 10/0 occurred on 2020-08-27, showing how different matches can yield vastly different outcomes. These extremes frame the context for individual records, where players like Wright and Sanderson capitalized on specific match dynamics to set lasting benchmarks.

Match frequency and hosting history

The County Ground in Northampton has hosted 518 T20 Blast matches between 2014 and 2026. The venue’s first recorded match took place on 18 May 2014, with the most recent fixture occurring on 31 May 2026. This extensive schedule establishes the ground as a central hub for county T20 cricket in England.

Northamptonshire has played 36 matches at this venue within the specific T20 Blast context provided. The team’s home advantage is further highlighted by the ground’s official renaming in 2026 to the cinch County Ground, following a six-year naming-rights agreement. This rebranding marks a new era for the historic Wantage Road venue.

Their frequent presence has contributed significantly to the venue’s statistical profile. Somerset also holds the record for the highest team total at the ground, scoring 265/5 on 9 July 2022. This dominant performance underscores the pitch’s potential for high-scoring encounters.

These milestones reflect the diverse conditions offered by the Northampton pitch.

The contrast between the highest team total of 265/5 and the lowest team total of 10/0 by Essex on 27 August 2020 illustrates the venue’s variability. Such extremes make the County Ground a compelling venue for T20 Blast fixtures. The ground continues to host key matches, maintaining its status as a premier T20 venue in England.

The statistical profile of the County Ground in Northampton reveals significant variance in team performances across 518 recorded matches. The highest team total stands at 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 2022-07-09, while the lowest recorded total is 10/0 by Essex on 2020-08-27. This wide spread highlights the venue's capacity to produce both high-scoring chases and dominant bowling spells, depending on pitch conditions and team form.

Individual batting records at this venue are anchored by LJ Wright's score of 153, set on 2014-07-25. This performance remains the highest individual batting score in the Cricsheet dataset for the ground, demonstrating the potential for batsmen to capitalize on favorable conditions. The 153-run innings underscores the venue's historical ability to reward aggressive batting, particularly in the early years of T20 cricket at the site.

This performance represents the most dominant individual bowling effort recorded at the venue, reflecting the pitch's potential to assist bowlers with movement or bounce. The 6/8 figures stand out as a key benchmark for bowlers aiming to make an impact at the County Ground.

This frequency of visits contributes to the team's familiarity with the ground's characteristics, potentially influencing their performance metrics. The high number of matches played by Somerset also provides a substantial sample size for analyzing team trends and player performances at this specific venue.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at County Ground, Northampton?

Who holds the highest individual batting record at this venue?

LJ Wright holds the record for the highest individual batting score with 153 runs, scored on 2014-07-25.

What are the best bowling figures recorded at the cinch County Ground?

How many T20 Blast matches have been hosted at Northampton?

A total of 518 T20 Blast matches have been hosted at the venue, with the first match taking place on 2014-05-18.

Which team has played the most matches at this venue?

See also