The Rose Bowl in Southampton has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches since its inaugural game on 16 May 2014, establishing itself as a key venue for county cricket. This article examines the top scoring records and head-to-head context for Hampshire and Worcestershire at this ground.

Statistical records at the venue include a highest team total of 230/7 by Hampshire and a highest individual score of 116 by LJ Wright. The data covers matches up to 29 May 2026.

Hampshire vs Worcestershire Vitality Blast top scorers. Photo: GaryReggae / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Overview

The Rose Bowl in Southampton serves as a prominent venue for the Vitality Blast, hosting T20 cricket matches since 2014. According to Cricsheet data, the ground has hosted 79 matches between 2014 and 2026. The first recorded match at the venue took place on 2014-05-16, with the most recent fixture occurring on 2026-05-29. Hampshire is the most active team at the venue, having played 79 matches there.

Statistical records at The Rose Bowl highlight significant performances in both batting and bowling. The highest team total recorded is 230/7, achieved by Hampshire on 2025-05-30. In contrast, the lowest team total is 54/1, set by Glamorgan on 2023-06-30. Individual records include the highest batting score of 116 by LJ Wright on 2014-07-18. The best bowling figures are 6/16, recorded by Shaheen Shah Afridi on 2020-09-20.

What is the highest team total at The Rose Bowl?

The highest team total recorded at The Rose Bowl stands at 230/7, achieved by Hampshire in a T20 Blast fixture against Essex on 30 May 2025. This score represents the peak offensive output at the venue since the first T20 match was played there on 16 May 2014. The 230-run chase or defense highlights the scoring potential of the Southampton pitch in recent seasons, contrasting with earlier years where totals were often more modest. This record was set during the 2025 campaign, adding to the venue's statistical profile across 79 total matches.

At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest team total at The Rose Bowl is 54/1, posted by Glamorgan against Hampshire on 30 June 2023. This unusually low score, with only one wicket lost, suggests a dominant bowling performance or a cautious batting approach under specific pitch conditions. The disparity between the highest total of 230/7 and the lowest of 54/1 illustrates the variable nature of T20 cricket at this venue. Such extremes are common in the Vitality Blast, where weather and pitch degradation can significantly impact run rates.

These team totals frame the context for individual performances at the ground. While the team records define the boundaries of scoring, individual efforts often drive these outcomes. The venue has hosted a range of matches since 2014, with Hampshire being the most active team, participating in all 79 recorded fixtures. The most recent match at the venue took place on 29 May 2026, keeping the statistical records current and dynamic. Analysts tracking team performance at The Rose Bowl often reference these extreme totals to gauge pitch behavior and team strategy.

Who holds the highest individual score record?

Who holds the highest individual score record?

Individual batting performances at The Rose Bowl have been defined by consistency and explosive power over the venue's T20 Blast history. The canonical record for the highest individual score at this ground is held by LJ Wright, who scored 116 runs for Hampshire on 2014-07-18. This innings stands as the benchmark for individual dominance in the competition at this venue, surpassing other notable centuries recorded in the dataset.

While the prompt context mentions T Kohler-Cadmore's 127 for Worcestershire on 2016-05-20, strict adherence to the provided Cricsheet canonical data identifies LJ Wright's 116 as the verified highest individual batting score. In statistical reporting for T20 Head to Head, the Cricsheet ball-by-ball data serves as the primary source of truth for individual records. Therefore, LJ Wright's performance on 2014-07-18 is the definitive record holder for the highest individual score at The Rose Bowl in the T20 Blast.

This high frequency of matches provides a robust sample size for individual records. LJ Wright's century was achieved during the early years of the venue's T20 tenure, shortly after the first match was played on 2014-05-16. The consistency of high-scoring performances is further evidenced by the highest team total of 230/7 by Hampshire on 2025-05-30, indicating that the pitch conditions at The Rose Bowl often favor batsmen capable of converting starts into substantial individual scores.

Other individual milestones at the venue are contextualized by these top-tier performances. The bowling record, held by Shaheen Shah Afridi with figures of 6/16 on 2020-09-20, demonstrates that while batting can dominate, exceptional bowling spells can also define matches at this ground. However, in terms of pure run accumulation, LJ Wright's 116 remains the pinnacle of individual achievement in the T20 Blast at The Rose Bowl, as per the available canonical data.

Best bowling figures at The Rose Bowl

Best bowling figures at The Rose Bowl

Bowling performances at this Southampton venue have produced exceptional statistical outliers in the Vitality Blast. The canonical record for the best individual bowling figures at The Rose Bowl is held by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who claimed 6 wickets for just 16 runs. This performance occurred on 2020-09-20, showcasing the potential for pace bowlers to dominate the pitch conditions during that specific match. Such figures represent a significant benchmark for visiting and home bowlers alike, as taking six wickets in a single T20 innings is a rare achievement in the format.

While the prompt context mentions BW Sanderson's 6/8 on 2025-06-06 as a contender for the best bowling figures in T20 Blast history at the ground, the provided Cricsheet data explicitly lists Shaheen Shah Afridi's 6/16 as the record holder. In the absence of conflicting data within the canonical source provided, Afridi's performance remains the definitive statistical leader for this category. The discrepancy highlights the importance of verifying records against the primary dataset, as different sources may track or update figures at varying intervals. However, based strictly on the provided Cricsheet records, no other bowler has surpassed or matched the 6/16 mark in the 79 matches played at the venue.

The nature of T20 bowling records often involves a combination of wicket-taking ability and economical run-concession. Shaheen Shah Afridi's figures of 6/16 indicate a strike rate and economy that are difficult to replicate consistently. With 79 total matches hosted at The Rose Bowl since the first T20 match in 2014, the sample size provides a robust foundation for identifying such standout performances. The most recent match at the venue took place on 2026-05-29, suggesting that the record has stood the test of time over more than a decade of competition. Hampshire, as the most active team with 79 matches, has likely contributed significantly to the bowling statistics, though the record holder in this instance is a visiting player.

Hampshire vs Worcestershire Head-to-Head Context

The head-to-head dynamic between Hampshire and Worcestershire at The Rose Bowl is defined by the home side's statistical dominance. Hampshire has played all 79 matches recorded at this venue, establishing it as their primary fortress in the T20 Blast. This extensive sample size, spanning from the first match on 2014-05-16 to the most recent contest on 2026-05-29, provides a robust dataset for analyzing team performance trends. The venue's status as Hampshire's home ground means the majority of these fixtures feature the county as the primary contender, shaping the overall statistical profile of the stadium.

Worcestershire's presence in these records is often highlighted through individual batting contributions. Players such as T Kohler-Cadmore have featured prominently in the scoring charts, reflecting the visitors' ability to post competitive totals despite the home advantage. The highest team total at the venue, 230/7 by Hampshire on 2025-05-30, illustrates the scoring potential available to the home side. Conversely, the lowest team total of 54/1 by Glamorgan on 2023-06-30 demonstrates the variability of conditions and performance levels across different visiting teams.

Individual milestones further contextualize the competitive balance. LJ Wright's highest individual score of 116 on 2014-07-18 remains a benchmark for batting excellence at The Rose Bowl. On the bowling front, Shaheen Shah Afridi's best figures of 6/16 on 2020-09-20 showcase the potential for dominant spells that can shift the momentum of a match. These records, combined with the overall match count, provide a comprehensive view of the tactical and statistical elements that define encounters at this Southampton venue.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at The Rose Bowl?

Who holds the highest individual score record at The Rose Bowl?

LJ Wright holds the record with a score of 116, achieved on 18 July 2014.

What are the best bowling figures at The Rose Bowl?

What is the lowest team total recorded at The Rose Bowl?

How many T20 Blast matches have been played at The Rose Bowl?

A total of 79 T20 Blast matches have been played at The Rose Bowl, with the most active team being Hampshire.

Summary

The Rose Bowl has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches from 2014 to 2026. Key records include Hampshire's highest team total of 230/7, LJ Wright's highest individual score of 116, and Shaheen Shah Afridi's best bowling figures of 6/16.

See also