As of May 2026, The Rose Bowl continues to be a key location for T20 Blast action, featuring record-breaking team totals and individual performances that highlight the competitive nature of the league.
Overview
The Vitality Blast rivalry between Hampshire and Surrey is a cornerstone of English domestic T20 cricket, with The Rose Bowl in Southampton serving as the primary stage for their encounters. This venue has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches, spanning from the inaugural contest on 2014-05-16 through to the most recent fixture on 2026-05-29. As the home ground for Hampshire, The Rose Bowl has seen the county participate in all 79 recorded matches at this location, establishing it as the most active team in the venue's T20 Blast history. The head-to-head dynamics between these two southern counties are defined by the pitch conditions and scoring patterns unique to Southampton.
What are the highest and lowest team totals at The Rose Bowl?
On the bowling front, the best figures recorded at The Rose Bowl are 6 wickets for 16 runs. This performance was delivered by Shaheen Shah Afridi on 2020-09-20. Such an economical spell, taking six wickets for just 16 runs, represents the peak of individual bowling efficiency at the venue according to the available match statistics. These individual records—Wright's 116 and Afridi's 6/16—serve as key reference points for analysts evaluating player performance at this specific T20 Blast ground.
Hampshire's Dominance at The Rose Bowl
Hampshire has established itself as the most active franchise at The Rose Bowl within the Vitality Blast, having contested all 79 recorded matches at the venue. This extensive volume of games provides a substantial dataset for analyzing head-to-head dynamics against visiting counties, including Surrey. The sheer frequency of fixtures means that statistical trends at this Southampton ground are heavily influenced by the home side's performance patterns over more than a decade of T20 cricket.
The first match at this venue took place on 2014-05-16, marking the beginning of a long-running series of encounters. Since that initial contest, the venue has seen continuous action, with the most recent match occurring on 2026-05-29. This span of over twelve years allows for a detailed examination of how team compositions and pitch conditions have evolved. The consistency of the venue as a primary host for Hampshire ensures that records set here are particularly relevant for understanding the home team's historical strength.
Among the most significant records at The Rose Bowl is the highest team total of 230/7, achieved by Hampshire on 2025-05-30. This scoreline underscores the batting-friendly nature of the surface when conditions align in favor of the home side. In contrast, the lowest team total recorded is 54/1, set by Glamorgan on 2023-06-30. These extremes highlight the variability of outcomes, even within a venue dominated by one franchise. The difference between the highest and lowest totals illustrates the range of strategic approaches required by visiting teams.
Individual performances also contribute to the venue's statistical profile. The highest individual batting score is 116, recorded by LJ Wright on 2014-07-18. This innings remains a benchmark for batting excellence at the ground. On the bowling front, the best figures are 6/16, achieved by Shaheen Shah Afridi on 2020-09-20. These individual milestones provide context for the team totals and reflect the quality of players who have competed at The Rose Bowl. The presence of such notable performances adds depth to the head-to-head analysis between Hampshire and their opponents.
How does The Rose Bowl compare to other T20 Blast grounds?
How does The Rose Bowl compare to other T20 Blast grounds?
The statistical profile of The Rose Bowl presents distinct extremes when viewed against broader T20 Blast trends. The highest team total of 230/7, achieved by Hampshire on 2025-05-30, represents a significant scoring benchmark for the venue. This total underscores the batting-friendly conditions that have emerged in recent seasons, contrasting with the more modest scores often seen in earlier years of the competition. Such high-scoring affairs are not uncommon in the T20 Blast, but a total exceeding 230 places The Rose Bowl among the more productive grounds for run-chasing teams.
Conversely, the lowest team total recorded at the venue is 54/1 by Glamorgan on 2023-06-30. This figure highlights the volatility of T20 cricket at Southampton, where a single dominant bowling performance can reduce a strong batting lineup to a sub-60 score. The disparity between the highest and lowest totals illustrates the wide range of outcomes possible at The Rose Bowl, making it a challenging venue for both batsmen and bowlers depending on the day's conditions.
Individual records further define the venue's character. LJ Wright's highest individual batting score of 116, recorded on 2014-07-18, remains a notable milestone in the venue's history. This performance demonstrates the potential for individual brilliance to shape match outcomes at The Rose Bowl. On the bowling front, Shaheen Shah Afridi's best figures of 6/16 on 2020-09-20 provide a counterpoint to the batting records. These figures reflect the impact of pace and bounce at the venue, particularly when the ball holds its length. The combination of high individual scores and exceptional bowling spells contributes to the competitive balance observed in matches at The Rose Bowl.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at The Rose Bowl?
The highest team total at The Rose Bowl is 230/7, achieved by Hampshire on May 30, 2025.
What is the lowest team total at The Rose Bowl?
The lowest team total at The Rose Bowl is 54/1, recorded by Glamorgan on June 30, 2023.
Who has the highest individual batting score at The Rose Bowl?
LJ Wright holds the record for the highest individual batting score at The Rose Bowl, scoring 116 runs on July 18, 2014.
Who has the best bowling figures at The Rose Bowl?
Shaheen Shah Afridi has the best bowling figures at The Rose Bowl, with 6/16 on September 20, 2020.
How many T20 Blast matches have been held at The Rose Bowl?
A total of 79 T20 Blast matches have been held at The Rose Bowl, with the first match taking place on May 16, 2014.
Summary
The Rose Bowl in Southampton has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches since 2014, with the most recent match occurring on May 29, 2026. Hampshire holds the record for the highest team total of 230/7, while Glamorgan recorded the lowest team total of 54/1. LJ Wright's 116 runs and Shaheen Shah Afridi's 6/16 are the standout individual performances at this venue.