Sophia Gardens has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches since the venue's first fixture on 30 May 2014, establishing it as a key statistical hub for Glamorgan's domestic campaign in Wales.
The ground's record books are defined by extreme scoring disparities, featuring both the competition's highest individual score of 135 by KS Carlson and the lowest team total of 9/0, both achieved by the home franchise.
Overview
Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, serves as the primary T20 Blast venue for Glamorgan. The ground has hosted a total of 79 matches in the competition, spanning from its inaugural fixture on 2014-05-30 through to the most recent contest on 2026-05-29. This extensive record establishes the stadium as a consistent fixture in the county's summer schedule over more than a decade of T20 cricket.
As the home ground for the franchise, Glamorgan is the most active team at Sophia Gardens, having played in all 79 recorded matches. The venue has witnessed significant statistical extremes during this period. The highest team total achieved at the ground is 243/4, set by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19. This performance coincides with the highest individual batting score at the venue, recorded by KS Carlson, who scored 135 runs in that same match on 2024-07-19.
What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens in the T20 Blast?
Securing six wickets in a single innings is a rare feat in the shortest format, particularly in a league where batting conditions often favor run accumulation. Hogan's 6/16 performance demonstrates the potential for bowlers to dominate when the pitch offers assistance. The record highlights the impact a single bowler can have on the outcome of a match, reducing the opposition's scoring rate and applying sustained pressure on the batting lineup.
While the highest team total at the venue reached 243/4 by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19, Hogan's figures from 2017 remain the pinnacle of individual bowling excellence. The contrast between the high-scoring potential and Hogan's tight spell underscores the variability of conditions at Sophia Gardens. Bowlers aiming to challenge this record must contend with the venue's reputation for producing competitive matches, as evidenced by the 79 games contested between 2014 and 2026.
Glamorgan's Home Record at Sophia Gardens
Sophia Gardens serves as the primary home ground for Glamorgan in the T20 Blast, hosting the franchise for the majority of its matches at the venue. The cricket sheet data confirms that Glamorgan is the most active team at this Cardiff stadium, having played all 79 recorded matches there. This extensive usage spans from the venue's first T20 match on 2014-05-30 through to the most recent fixture on 2026-05-29, establishing a consistent presence over more than a decade of competition.
The team's performance at Sophia Gardens is defined by extreme statistical outliers rather than consistent averages. On 2024-07-19, Glamorgan posted the highest team total at the venue, scoring 243/4. This innings was anchored by KS Carlson, who recorded the highest individual batting score at the ground with 135 runs. The correlation between the team's peak performance and Carlson's individual milestone highlights the impact of a dominant opening or middle-order display on the venue's scoring patterns.
Conversely, the team has also experienced significant collapses at the same ground. The lowest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens is 9/0 by Glamorgan, achieved on 2022-06-05. This figure represents a stark contrast to the 243/4 high score, illustrating the variable nature of the pitch conditions or opposition quality over the years. The range between 9/0 and 243/4 suggests that Sophia Gardens can favor both aggressive batting and dominant bowling depending on the specific match dynamics.
Bowling excellence at the venue is also documented in the records. MG Hogan achieved the best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens with 6/16 on 2017-08-03. This performance stands out as the most dominant individual bowling effort in the venue's history, providing a counterpoint to the batting records held by Carlson and the team totals. The data from 2014 to 2026 shows that while Glamorgan has played every match at this location, the results vary significantly, with records held by both the team and individual players across different seasons.
How does Sophia Gardens compare to other T20 Blast grounds?
With 79 matches recorded between 2014 and 2026, Sophia Gardens stands as the most active venue for Glamorgan in the T20 Blast. This concentration of fixtures establishes the ground as the definitive home for the county side, shaping the statistical baseline for team performance metrics. The venue's record book reflects the dominance of its primary tenant, with no other team having hosted a significant number of games in comparison.
The highest team total of 243/4, achieved by Glamorgan on 2024-07-19, provides a benchmark for scoring potential at the Cardiff ground. This aggregate, featuring a 135-run innings by KS Carlson, illustrates the upper limit of batting output under local conditions. Such high-scoring affairs contrast with the volatility seen in other T20 Blast venues, where pitch behavior can vary more drastically from season to season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at Sophia Gardens in the T20 Blast?
The highest team total recorded at Sophia Gardens is 243/4 by Glamorgan, set on 19 July 2024.
What is the lowest team total at Sophia Gardens in the T20 Blast?
The lowest team total at the venue is 9/0 by Glamorgan, recorded on 5 June 2022.
Who holds the record for the highest individual score at Sophia Gardens?
KS Carlson holds the record for the highest individual score with 135 runs, scored on 19 July 2024.
What are the best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens?
The best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens are 6/16 by MG Hogan, achieved on 3 August 2017.
How many T20 Blast matches have been played at Sophia Gardens?
A total of 79 T20 Blast matches have been played at Sophia Gardens between 30 May 2014 and 29 May 2026.
Summary
Sophia Gardens has hosted 79 T20 Blast matches from 2014 to 2026, with Glamorgan appearing in all 79 fixtures. The venue records include a highest team total of 243/4 by Glamorgan (2024) and a lowest team total of 9/0 by Glamorgan (2022).
Individual records at the ground are led by KS Carlson's highest score of 135 (2024) and MG Hogan's best bowling figures of 6/16 (2017).