The County Ground, Derby is a cricket venue in Derby, England, that has hosted 518 T20 Blast matches since its first contest on 18 May 2014.
The ground is the home of Derbyshire County Cricket Club and features the Racecourse End and Pavilion End. It has recorded extreme scoring milestones, including a highest team total of 265/5 and a lowest team total of 10/0.
Overview
The County Ground in Derby, England, serves as a prominent venue for the T20 Blast, having hosted 518 matches in the competition. The first T20 Blast match at the ground took place on 2014-05-18, with the most recent recorded fixture occurring on 2026-05-31. The stadium is the historic home of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, which has occupied the ground since 1871. Originally established by South Derbyshire Cricket Club in 1863, the venue was initially situated within the Derby Racecourse, a location that influenced the naming of its bowling ends: the Racecourse End and the Pavilion End. Racing at the adjacent course ceased after 1939, allowing the cricket ground to expand and solidify its status as a key county fixture.
Somerset is the most active team at the County Ground, having played 105 matches at the venue. The ground has witnessed significant statistical extremes in T20 Blast history. 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. Individual performances have also reached notable heights, with LJ Wright recording the highest individual batting score of 153 on 2014-07-25. On the bowling front, the best figures are 6/8, delivered by BW Sanderson on 2025-06-06. These records highlight the venue's capacity to produce both high-scoring chases and dominant individual displays across its decade-plus history in the T20 Blast format.
Venue profile
The County Ground in Derby, England, serves as the home venue for Derbyshire County Cricket Club, a tenure established in 1871. The ground's origins date back to 1863 when it was first utilized by the South Derbyshire Cricket Club. Initially situated within the Derby Racecourse, the venue maintained this location until racing activities ceased after 1939. The stadium features two designated bowling ends: the Racecourse End and the Pavilion End.
Significant infrastructure developments have shaped the venue's modern configuration. In 2009 and 2010, the pitch underwent a realignment from an east-west orientation to a north-south axis, a project costing £100,000. Concurrently, a 1800-seat stand was constructed at the Racecourse End in 2010. This stand was subsequently removed in 2015 to facilitate the construction of a £2.2 million media centre, which was completed in 2016. Following this redevelopment, 1100 seats were reinstated at the Pavilion End.
As a T20 Blast venue, the County Ground hosted its first match on 2014-05-18. As of the most recent match on 2026-05-31, a total of 518 matches have been played at the ground. Somerset is the most active team at the venue, having participated in 105 matches.
Statistical records at the venue highlight significant individual and team performances. The highest team total is 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 2022-07-09. Conversely, the lowest team total recorded is 10/0 by Essex on 2020-08-27. The highest individual batting score is 153, scored by LJ Wright on 2014-07-25. The best bowling figures are 6/8, delivered by BW Sanderson on 2025-06-06.
T20 Blast Team Records
The County Ground, Derby has hosted 518 T20 Blast matches between 18 May 2014 and 31 May 2026. Somerset is the most active franchise at the venue, having played 105 matches. The following table presents the highest and lowest team totals recorded in T20 Blast fixtures at this ground.
| Record | Score | Team | Opposition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 265/5 | Somerset | Derbyshire | 2022-07-09 |
| Lowest Team Total | 10/0 | Essex | Middlesex | 2020-08-27 |
Somerset's 265/5 against Derbyshire on 9 July 2022 stands as the highest team total at the County Ground in T20 Blast competition. This innings represents the peak scoring output among all 518 matches played at the venue since the format's introduction in 2014. The match took place during the 2022 season, with Somerset posting a substantial total against their home opponents.
Conversely, Essex recorded the lowest team total of 10/0 against Middlesex on 27 August 2020. This scoreline reflects a minimal batting performance, with Essex managing just 10 runs without losing a wicket. The match occurred during the 2020 T20 Blast season, highlighting the variability in scoring patterns at the Derby venue.
The venue's bowling ends are designated as the Racecourse End and the Pavilion End. These ends influence pitch behavior and batting strategies across the 518 matches conducted at the ground. Somerset's status as the most frequent participant, with 105 appearances, provides a significant sample size for analyzing team performance trends at this specific location.
Individual Records at County Ground, Derby
Individual Records at County Ground, Derby
Individual performance records at the County Ground, Derby, are derived from 518 T20 Blast matches played between 2014 and 2026. The venue has hosted significant individual milestones in both batting and bowling.
Highest Individual Batting Score
The highest individual score recorded at the venue is 153 runs, achieved by LJ Wright. This performance took place on 2014-07-25. Wright's innings remains the benchmark for individual batting excellence at the ground.
Best Bowling Figures
The best bowling figures in a single innings at the County Ground are 6/8, bowled by BW Sanderson. This performance occurred on 2025-06-06. Sanderson's spell represents the most dominant individual bowling display in the venue's T20 Blast history.
| Record | Player | Value | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Individual Score | LJ Wright | 153 | 2014-07-25 |
| Best Bowling Figures | BW Sanderson | 6/8 | 2025-06-06 |
What is the highest team total at County Ground, Derby?
The highest team total recorded at the County Ground, Derby, in T20 Blast history is 265/5. This record was set by Somerset on 2022-07-09. This score stands as the benchmark for batting performance at this venue since the first T20 match was played there in 2014. The match took place during the T20 Blast competition, which is the primary league associated with this stadium. Somerset's innings of 265/5 demonstrates the scoring potential of the pitch and dimensions at the County Ground. This total is significantly higher than the lowest team total recorded at the venue, which is 10/0 by Essex on 2020-08-27. The contrast between these two extremes highlights the variable conditions and match dynamics experienced at this Derbyshire venue. Somerset is the most active team at the County Ground, having played 105 matches there. Their record-breaking performance in 2022 contributes to their strong statistical presence at this location. The venue has hosted 518 matches in total, with the most recent match occurring on 2026-05-31. The bowling ends at the ground are known as the Racecourse End and the Pavilion End. These ends play a crucial role in the tactical approach of batting teams aiming for high scores. Somerset's achievement of 265/5 remains the highest team total, surpassing all other innings recorded in the 518 matches played at this venue. The record was established nearly a decade after the venue's first T20 match on 2014-05-18. This longevity of the record underscores the significance of Somerset's performance in the context of the venue's T20 history.
Who holds the record for most runs at County Ground, Derby?
Who holds the record for most runs at County Ground, Derby?
The highest individual batting score recorded at the County Ground, Derby, in T20 Blast competition is 153 runs, achieved by LJ Wright. This performance stands as the venue's premier individual batting milestone in the tournament's history at this location.
Wright scored this century while representing Sussex against Derbyshire on 2014-07-25. This match took place during the early years of T20 Blast fixtures at the venue, which hosted its first T20 match on 2014-05-18. The score of 153 remains the benchmark for individual batting excellence at this ground, surpassing all other individual efforts recorded in the 518 matches played there up to 2026-05-31.
This record highlights the batting potential of the pitch at the County Ground, Derby. The venue, located in Derby, England, has seen a variety of team totals, with the highest team score being 265/5 by Somerset on 2022-07-09. In contrast, the lowest team total recorded is 10/0 by Essex on 2020-08-27. Wright's 153 represents a significant portion of the highest team total, demonstrating the impact of a single batsman on the match outcome.
The County Ground, Derby, is the home of Derbyshire County Cricket Club. While the ground has a long history, including hosting One-Day Internationals and Women's Cricket World Cup matches, the T20 Blast records are specific to the limited-overs format. The bowling ends at the venue are known as the Racecourse End and the Pavilion End. These ends play a crucial role in the dynamics of the game, influencing both batting and bowling strategies.
Other notable records at the venue include the best bowling figures of 6/8 by BW Sanderson on 2025-06-06. This performance underscores the competitive nature of the T20 Blast at the County Ground, Derby. Somerset is the most active team at this venue, having played 105 matches. The combination of high individual scores and strong bowling performances makes the County Ground, Derby, a significant venue in the T20 Blast calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at County Ground, Derby?
The highest team total is 265/5 by Somerset, achieved on 9 July 2022.
What is the lowest team total at County Ground, Derby?
The lowest team total is 10/0 by Essex, recorded on 27 August 2020.
Who holds the record for the highest individual batting score at County Ground, Derby?
LJ Wright holds the record with a score of 153, scored on 25 July 2014.
Who holds the record for the best bowling figures at County Ground, Derby?
BW Sanderson holds the record with figures of 6/8, achieved on 6 June 2025.
Which team has played the most matches at County Ground, Derby?
Somerset is the most active team at the venue, having played 105 matches.
Summary
Since 2014, the County Ground, Derby has hosted 518 T20 Blast matches, with the most recent occurring on 31 May 2026. Somerset is the most frequent participant with 105 matches.
Key individual records include LJ Wright's highest score of 153 and BW Sanderson's best bowling figures of 6/8. Team totals have ranged from a high of 265/5 by Somerset to a low of 10/0 by Essex.