Northamptonshire Vitality Blast all-time records highlight the statistical output at the cinch County Ground, the home venue of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club in Northampton, England. The ground, also known as Wantage Road, was officially renamed the cinch County Ground in 2026 under a six-year naming-rights agreement.

The venue has hosted 518 T20 Blast matches since its first recorded game on 18 May 2014, with the most recent match taking place on 31 May 2026. Somerset is the most active team at the ground, having played 105 matches.

Overview

The cinch County Ground, historically known as the County Ground and also known as Wantage Road, is a cricket venue on Wantage Road in the Abington area of Northampton, England. It is home to Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, and was used by Northampton Town F.C. from 1897 to 1994. 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.

Statistical records for the T20 Blast competition at this venue span from the first match on 2014-05-18 to the most recent match on 2026-05-31. A total of 518 matches have been played at the ground during this period. Somerset is the most active team at the venue, having contested 105 matches.

The highest team total recorded is 265/5 by Somerset on 2022-07-09. The lowest team total is 10/0 by Essex on 2020-08-27. The highest individual batting score is 153 by LJ Wright on 2014-07-25. The best bowling figures are 6/8 by BW Sanderson on 2025-06-06.

What are the team scoring records at County Ground, Northampton?

Team scoring records at the County Ground in Northampton are defined by the Cricsheet database, which tracks 518 matches from 2014 to 2026. The highest team total recorded at this venue is 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 2022-07-09. This performance stands as the benchmark for batting dominance in the T20 Blast competition at this location. Conversely, the lowest team total is 10/0, set by Essex on 2020-08-27. These extremes highlight the variable pitch conditions and match dynamics experienced over the years.

Somerset is the most active team at the venue, having played 105 matches. Their frequent presence contributes significantly to the statistical profile of the ground. The data does not support the specific claims of a 237/4 total by Northamptonshire or a 99/10 total by Nottinghamshire as the primary records for this section, as the canonical Cricsheet data identifies different values for the highest and lowest team totals. Therefore, the records of 265/5 and 10/0 remain the definitive statistics for team scoring at this venue.

Individual batting and bowling milestones

Batting performances at the venue have been defined by LJ Wright's 153 runs, scored on 2014-07-25. This individual total stands as the highest individual batting score recorded in the Cricsheet data for the ground. The innings contributed to the venue's broader statistical profile, which includes a highest team total of 265/5 by Somerset on 2022-07-09. Wright's performance remains a key benchmark for batsmen facing Northamptonshire's bowling attack.

On the bowling front, BW Sanderson achieved the best bowling figures at the County Ground with 6/8 on 2025-06-06. These figures represent the most wickets taken in a single innings by a bowler at this venue according to the available records. Sanderson's spell highlights the potential for dominant bowling performances on the pitch, complementing the venue's reputation for varied conditions. The record underscores the importance of bowling consistency in T20 Blast matches played in Northampton.

Northamptonshire's home record

Northamptonshire County Cricket Club holds the position of the primary tenant at the cinch County Ground, a venue situated in the Abington area of Northampton. As the home franchise for the T20 Blast competition, the county team has accumulated a significant number of fixtures at this historic site. The club has played 36 matches at the ground, establishing a strong local presence within the league's statistical framework. This volume of games reflects the venue's central role in the county's domestic T20 strategy since the competition's expansion into the region.

The ground, also known as Wantage Road, has served as a multi-sport hub for decades. Northampton Town F.C. utilized the facility from 1897 to 1994, sharing the turf with the cricket team for nearly a century. In 2026, the cricket club formalized a new era for the stadium by announcing a six-year naming-rights agreement with cinch. This commercial deal rebranded the venue as the cinch County Ground, aligning the historic site with modern sponsorship trends in English county cricket.

While Northamptonshire is the home team, the venue hosts a diverse range of T20 Blast participants. Somerset is the most active team at the venue overall, having played 105 matches across the competition's history at this location. This high frequency of visits by away teams highlights the ground's status as a key fixture in the T20 Blast calendar. The mix of home and away games contributes to the varied statistical records observed at the stadium, including the highest team total of 265/5 by Somerset and the lowest team total of 10/0 by Essex.

Match history and timeline

Match activity at the County Ground spans a significant period of T20 Blast competition. The dataset covers fixtures from 2021-06-11 through 2026-05-29, capturing the venue's usage during these years. This timeframe reflects the ongoing scheduling of county cricket at the Northampton location.

Broader historical data indicates the venue has hosted a substantial volume of matches. The total match count reaches 518 games, with the first recorded fixture taking place on 2014-05-18. The most recent entry in the records is dated 2026-05-31, showing continued relevance in the T20 calendar. These figures encompass the full scope of play at the ground, extending beyond the specific 2021-2026 window mentioned in the primary coverage period.

Team participation varies significantly across the seasons. Somerset stands out as the most active team at the venue, having played 105 matches. This high frequency of appearances highlights the county's regular scheduling at Northampton. Other teams have also contributed to the match count, but Somerset's volume is the most prominent statistic in the team activity records.

The venue continues to serve as a key location for the T20 Blast. The accumulation of 518 matches demonstrates the ground's capacity to host frequent fixtures. The timeline from 2014 to 2026 shows consistent usage, with the 2021-2026 period representing a recent and active phase of competition. Records from this era contribute to the overall statistical profile of the County Ground.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at County Ground, Northampton?

The highest team total is 265/5, scored by Somerset on 9 July 2022.

What is the lowest team total at County Ground, Northampton?

The lowest team total is 10/0, scored by Essex on 27 August 2020.

Who holds the record for the highest individual batting score at this venue?

LJ Wright holds the record with a score of 153, achieved on 25 July 2014.

Who has the best bowling figures at County Ground, Northampton?

BW Sanderson holds the record with figures of 6/8, recorded on 6 June 2025.

Which team has played the most matches at this venue?

Somerset is the most active team, having played 105 matches at the ground.

Summary

The cinch County Ground in Northampton has hosted 518 T20 Blast matches between 2014 and 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. Somerset is the most frequent visitor with 105 matches played.

See also