Northamptonshire highest team total Vitality Blast records are anchored by Somerset’s 265/5 at the County Ground in Northampton. The venue has hosted 518 T20 Blast matches since 2014, providing a substantial dataset for analyzing pitch behavior and team performance in England’s premier domestic T20 competition.
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club announced in 2026 that the ground would be officially renamed the cinch County Ground under a six-year naming-rights agreement. Historically known as Wantage Road, the stadium continues to serve as a key fixture for the Vitality Blast, with Somerset emerging as the most active team with 105 matches played.
Overview
The County Ground in Northampton serves as the primary home venue for Northamptonshire County Cricket Club in the Vitality Blast. Located on Wantage Road in the Abington area of Northampton, England, the ground has hosted a significant volume of T20 cricket since its first recorded match on 2014-05-18. As of the most recent match on 2026-05-31, the venue has hosted a total of 518 matches, establishing it as a key fixture in the county cricket calendar. In 2026, Northamptonshire County Cricket Club announced that the ground would be officially renamed the cinch County Ground under a six-year naming-rights agreement with cinch.
Northamptonshire is the most active team at the venue, having played 36 matches there. This high frequency of hosting duties provides a robust dataset for analyzing team performance and individual records within the Vitality Blast format. The ground's pitch and conditions have contributed to a wide range of scoring patterns, from dominant batting displays to tight bowling contests.
The statistical records at the County Ground reflect the dynamic nature of T20 cricket. The highest team total recorded is 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 2022-07-09. In contrast, the lowest team total is 10/0, set by Essex on 2020-08-27. These extremes highlight the variability of match outcomes at this venue. Individual performances have also been notable, with LJ Wright scoring the highest individual batting score of 153 on 2014-07-25. On the bowling front, BW Sanderson recorded the best bowling figures of 6/8 on 2025-06-06. These records provide a benchmark for players competing at the County Ground, illustrating the potential for both explosive batting and precise bowling in the Vitality Blast.
What is the highest team total at County Ground, Northampton?
The highest team total recorded at the County Ground, Northampton in T20 Blast competition is 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 2022-07-09. This score stands as the benchmark for batting performance at the venue, surpassing other notable innings in the ground's recent history. The chase or defense of such a total requires significant depth in the batting order, as evidenced by the five wickets lost during Somerset's accumulation of runs.
In contrast to the high-scoring affair by Somerset, the venue has also witnessed extreme bowling dominance. The lowest team total at the ground is 10/0 by Essex, recorded on 2020-08-27. This disparity between the highest and lowest totals highlights the variable nature of the pitch conditions at Wantage Road. The ability of the surface to favor either bat or ball depends heavily on the specific match day and weather patterns during the Vitality Blast season.
Individual performances contribute significantly to these team records. The highest individual batting score at the venue is 153 by LJ Wright, who achieved this milestone on 2014-07-25. This innings remains a key reference point for batting excellence at Northampton. On the bowling front, the best figures are 6/8 by BW Sanderson, recorded on 2025-06-06. These individual records underscore the potential for standout performances that can shift the momentum of a T20 Blast match.
Somerset is the most active team at the venue, having played 105 matches there. This frequent presence allows for a robust statistical sample size when analyzing team performance trends. The venue has hosted a total of 518 matches since the first recorded game on 2014-05-18, with the most recent match taking place on 2026-05-31. The longevity of T20 Blast fixtures at the County Ground provides a comprehensive dataset for evaluating team and player records over time.
What is the lowest team total at County Ground, Northampton?
The lowest team total recorded at the County Ground, Northampton, stands at 10/0 by Essex on 2020-08-27, according to Cricsheet data. This score represents the most extreme low-water mark in the venue's statistical history, contrasting sharply with the high-scoring nature of other matches played on the same surface.
When compared to the highest team total of 265/5 by Somerset on 2022-07-09, the range of scoring possibilities at this ground becomes evident. The difference of 255 runs between the highest and lowest totals highlights the variability of pitch conditions and match situations over the years. Such extremes are common in T20 cricket, where a single over can shift the momentum from a dominant batting performance to a defensive struggle.
The 10/0 total by Essex occurred during a match in August 2020, a period when the T20 Blast was navigating through various scheduling adjustments. This low score is particularly notable because it includes zero wickets lost, suggesting a collapse or a specific tactical approach by the batting side. In contrast, the highest total of 265/5 by Somerset involved the loss of five wickets, indicating a more balanced batting effort.
These records are part of the broader statistical landscape at the County Ground, which has hosted 518 matches since the first recorded game on 2014-05-18. The most recent match took place on 2026-05-31, showing the venue's continued relevance in the T20 Blast circuit. Somerset, the team responsible for the highest total, is also the most active team at the venue with 105 matches played, further emphasizing their significant presence in the ground's history.
Individual performances also play a crucial role in shaping these team totals. For instance, LJ Wright's highest individual batting score of 153 on 2014-07-25 contributed to a high-scoring match, while BW Sanderson's best bowling figures of 6/8 on 2025-06-06 likely contributed to a lower team total for the opposing side. These individual efforts underscore the importance of both batting and bowling in determining the final scores at the County Ground.
Individual batting and bowling records
Individual batting and bowling records
Individual milestones at the County Ground highlight the venue's capacity for both explosive batting and dominant bowling performances. The highest individual batting score recorded in the dataset is 153 runs, achieved by LJ Wright on 2014-07-25. This performance stands as the benchmark for individual batting excellence at the venue, surpassing other notable innings in the statistical record. The match in which Wright scored his 153 runs took place during the early years of T20 cricket at the ground, contributing to the venue's reputation for producing high-scoring individual efforts.
On the bowling front, the best figures recorded at the County Ground are 6 wickets for 8 runs, taken by BW Sanderson on 2025-06-06. This performance represents the most economical and wicket-taking spell in the venue's T20 history, showcasing the potential for bowlers to dominate under specific pitch and weather conditions. Sanderson's figures of 6/8 stand out as a rare instance of a bowler taking six wickets in a single T20 match at this location, making it a significant record for analysts tracking bowling consistency and impact.
These individual records—Wright's 153 runs and Sanderson's 6/8—demonstrate the range of performances possible at the County Ground. While team totals such as Somerset's 265/5 and Essex's 10/0 define the extremes of team scoring, individual achievements like these provide deeper insight into player-specific dominance. The data confirms that both batting and bowling records at this venue are held by players who delivered exceptional performances in specific matches, with Wright's innings and Sanderson's spell remaining the highest benchmarks in their respective categories as of the most recent match on 2026-05-31.
How does County Ground, Northampton compare to other T20 Blast venues?
With 518 matches recorded between 2014 and 2026, the County Ground in Northampton presents a substantial dataset for T20 Blast analysis. This volume of fixtures provides a robust basis for evaluating team performance trends and pitch behavior over more than a decade of competition. The venue has hosted a wide array of county sides, offering diverse statistical comparisons across different eras of the tournament.
Individual brilliance often drives these team outcomes. LJ Wright recorded the highest individual batting score with 153 runs on 2014-07-25. On the bowling front, BW Sanderson achieved the best figures with 6/8 on 2025-06-06. These performances underscore the impact of key players in shaping match results at this venue.
Somerset emerges as the most active team at the County Ground, having played 105 matches. This frequent presence allows for a deeper analysis of their performance metrics compared to other counties. The data reflects a long-standing relationship between the franchise and the venue, contributing significantly to the overall statistical profile of the ground.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at County Ground, Northampton?
The highest team total recorded at the venue is 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 9 July 2022.
What is the lowest team total at County Ground, Northampton?
The lowest team total is 10/0, set by Essex on 27 August 2020.
Who holds the record for the highest individual score at this venue?
LJ Wright holds the record for the highest individual batting score with 153 runs, scored on 25 July 2014.
What are the best bowling figures recorded at County Ground, Northampton?
The best bowling figures are 6/8, achieved by BW Sanderson on 6 June 2025.
Which team has played the most matches at this venue?
Somerset is the most active team at the County Ground, having played 105 matches.
Summary
The County Ground in Northampton has hosted 518 T20 Blast matches between 18 May 2014 and 31 May 2026. Key records include Somerset’s highest team total of 265/5, Essex’s lowest total of 10/0, LJ Wright’s highest individual score of 153, and BW Sanderson’s best bowling figures of 6/8.
See also
- T20 Blast Records at Kennington Oval, London
- T20 Blast Records at Edgbaston Cricket Ground
- T20 Blast Records at Uxbridge Cricket Club Ground
- T20 Blast Records at County Ground, Northampton
- T20 Blast Records at St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
- T20 Blast Records at College Ground, Cheltenham