The County Ground, Hove is the home venue for Sussex in the Vitality T20 Blast, hosting a significant volume of county T20 cricket with 518 matches recorded in the Cricsheet database. The ground has been a consistent fixture on the T20 calendar, with the first match taking place on 18 May 2014 and the most recent as of 31 May 2026.
Statistical records at Hove highlight extreme performances, including the highest team total of 265/5 by Somerset and the lowest team total of 10/0 by Essex. Individual milestones include LJ Wright’s highest individual score of 153 and BW Sanderson’s best bowling figures of 6/8.
Overview
The County Ground in Hove serves as the primary home venue for Sussex in the Vitality Blast, the premier domestic T20 competition in England. The stadium has established itself as a significant fixture in the tournament's calendar, hosting matches that contribute to the broader statistical landscape of English county cricket. While the venue's T20 Blast history officially began in 2019, the ground has seen extensive usage in the format over a longer period, reflecting its adaptability to the fast-paced nature of the game.
Statistical records from Cricsheet indicate that the County Ground has hosted a total of 518 T20 matches between 18 May 2014 and 31 May 2026. This extensive dataset provides a robust foundation for analyzing team and individual performances at the venue. The high volume of matches underscores the ground's importance in the domestic circuit, offering a consistent stage for competitive encounters.
Among the teams that have frequented the venue, Somerset stands out as the most active participant, having played 105 matches at Hove. This frequency highlights the strategic and logistical role the ground plays in the tournament structure. The venue has witnessed a wide range of scoring patterns, with team totals varying significantly from game to game.
The highest team total recorded at the County Ground is 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 9 July 2022. This performance demonstrates the batting-friendly conditions that can prevail at the venue, allowing for high-scoring encounters. In contrast, the lowest team total recorded is 10/0 by Essex on 27 August 2020, illustrating the potential for defensive dominance and low-scoring thrillers.
Individual brilliance has also been on display at Hove. The highest individual batting score is 153, set by LJ Wright on 25 July 2014. This innings remains a benchmark for batting excellence at the venue. On the bowling front, the best figures recorded are 6/8 by BW Sanderson on 6 June 2025, showcasing the impact of a dominant spell in shaping the outcome of a match.
What are the team batting records at County Ground, Hove?
Batting performances at the County Ground, Hove, have produced significant extremes in team totals. The highest team total recorded at this venue is 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 2022-07-09. This score represents the peak of batting output among the 518 matches held at the ground between 2014 and 2026. Somerset, the most active team at the venue with 105 matches, has consistently contributed to the statistical profile of the ground.
Individual batting and bowling milestones
The highest individual batting score recorded at the County Ground, Hove, is 153 runs, achieved by LJ Wright on 2014-07-25. This performance stands as the benchmark for individual batting excellence at the venue according to Cricsheet data. The match took place during the early years of T20 cricket at the ground, which hosted its first match on 2014-05-18. Wright's score of 153 remains the highest individual total among the 518 matches played at the venue up to the most recent match on 2026-05-31.
On the bowling front, the best figures recorded at the venue are 6/8, bowled by BW Sanderson on 2025-06-06. This performance represents the most dominant individual bowling display in the venue's history. Sanderson's figures of 6/8 highlight the potential for bowlers to exploit the pitch conditions at the County Ground, Hove. The record stands as the best bowling performance among all matches played at the venue.
Match frequency and hosting history
The County Ground in Hove has established itself as a significant venue within the T20 Blast calendar, hosting a substantial volume of matches over the years. According to Cricsheet data, the stadium has recorded a total of 518 matches, with the first contest taking place on 2014-05-18. The most recent match at the venue occurred on 2026-05-31, demonstrating the ground's continued relevance in the domestic T20 landscape. This extensive match history provides a robust dataset for analyzing team performances and individual records at this Sussex stronghold.
Sussex serves as the primary host for these fixtures, anchoring the venue's identity within the league structure. The frequency of games held at Hove allows for a deep dive into statistical trends, including team totals and individual milestones. The venue has seen action from numerous county sides, with Somerset emerging as the most active team at the ground. Somerset has played 105 matches at the County Ground, making them the most frequent visitors in the venue's T20 Blast history. This high volume of games involving Somerset contributes significantly to the overall match count and influences the statistical averages recorded at Hove.
The match frequency at Hove spans several seasons, reflecting the dynamic nature of the T20 Blast scheduling. The venue has hosted matches from 2019-07-24 to 2026-05-30, a period that includes 42 specific contests highlighted in recent hosting records. This timeframe captures the evolution of the league and the changing fortunes of the teams that have competed at the ground. The consistent use of the venue ensures that records such as highest team totals and best bowling figures are continually challenged and updated.
Statistical analysis of the venue's hosting history reveals patterns in team performance and pitch behavior. The large number of matches provides a reliable sample size for evaluating how different teams perform at Hove. Somerset's prominence as the most active team suggests that their players are particularly well-acclimated to the conditions at the County Ground. This familiarity may have contributed to some of the notable records set at the venue, including high-scoring innings and exceptional bowling spells. The venue's role as a key T20 Blast location continues to grow, with each new match adding to its rich statistical heritage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at County Ground, Hove?
The highest team total is 265/5, set by Somerset on 9 July 2022.
What is the lowest team total at County Ground, Hove?
The lowest team total is 10/0, set by Essex on 27 August 2020.
Who has the highest individual batting score at County Ground, Hove?
LJ Wright holds the record for the highest individual score with 153, achieved on 25 July 2014.
Who has the best bowling figures at County Ground, Hove?
BW Sanderson holds the record for the best bowling figures with 6/8, achieved on 6 June 2025.
Which team has played the most matches at County Ground, Hove?
Somerset is the most active team at the venue, having played 105 matches.
Summary
County Ground, Hove has hosted 518 T20 matches from 2014 to 2026. Key records include Somerset’s highest 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. Somerset is the most frequent team at the venue with 105 matches.