Overview

The Cooper Associates County Ground, located in Hove, East Sussex, England, serves as the primary home venue for Sussex County Cricket Club. Established in 1872, the ground has been the central hub for Sussex's home matches for over a century, although the county has also utilized alternative venues such as Eastbourne, Hastings, Arundel Castle, and Horsham for select fixtures. The stadium is distinguished by its unique spectator amenities, including deckchairs in the club's traditional blue and white colours. Historically significant for its lighting infrastructure, the County Ground was the first cricket venue to install permanent floodlights and the second in England to host a day-night match in 1997.

In the context of T20 cricket, the venue is a key fixture in the T20 Blast league. The ground hosted its first T20 match in 2014, marking the beginning of its modern limited-overs era. From 2014 through 2026, the stadium has hosted a total of 518 T20 Blast matches, establishing it as one of the most frequently used venues in the competition. This volume of fixtures highlights the ground's importance to the Sussex CCC franchise and its role in the broader T20 Blast structure. The data provided confirms the venue's operational history within the league, with the 518-match count representing the cumulative total of games played at this specific location during the specified period.

While the venue has a rich history dating back to the 19th century, the available statistical data focuses primarily on its T20 Blast performance metrics. The ground's capacity, specific pitch dimensions, and detailed historical match scores from earlier eras are not captured in the current dataset. Consequently, analysis of the venue's T20 record is limited to the aggregate match count and the timeframe of its T20 Blast tenure. The transition from a traditional county ground to a prominent T20 Blast venue underscores the evolving nature of cricket infrastructure in England, with the County Ground in Hove maintaining its relevance through consistent usage in the league format.

Venue profile

The County Cricket Ground, currently known for sponsorship reasons as The 1st Central County Ground, is a cricket venue located in Hove, within the city of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England. The ground serves as the home of Sussex County Cricket Club. Sussex CCC have played the majority of their home matches at this venue since 1872, although the club has also utilized other grounds in Sussex, including Eastbourne, Hastings, Arundel Castle, and Horsham.

The venue possesses distinct historical and infrastructural features. It is one of the few county grounds to offer deckchairs for spectators, colored in the Sussex CCC blue and white. The County Ground was the first cricket ground to install permanent floodlights for day/night cricket matches. It hosted the second day/night match in England in 1997.

In the context of T20 cricket, the venue has hosted matches in the T20 Blast league. The first T20 match at the County Ground, Hove, was played in 2014.

T20 Blast team records

The County Ground in Hove has hosted T20 Blast matches since 2014. The venue records for team totals in this competition are detailed below.

Record Score Matchup Date
Highest Team Total 265/5 Somerset vs Derbyshire 2022-07-09
Lowest Team Total 10/0 Essex vs Middlesex 2020-08-27

Individual records at Hove

Individual records at Hove

Statistical analysis of individual performances at The Cooper Associates County Ground in the T20 Blast highlights significant batting and bowling milestones. The venue has hosted a range of individual achievements since its first T20 match in 2014.

The highest individual score recorded at this venue is 153 runs. This record was set by LJ Wright for Sussex County Cricket Club on 2014-07-25. This innings stands as the benchmark for batting performance at the ground in the competition.

On the bowling front, the best figures recorded are 6 wickets for 8 runs. This performance was achieved by BW Sanderson on 2025-06-06. These figures represent the most economical and wicket-taking spell in the available data for the venue.

These records are derived from Cricsheet ball-by-ball data, providing a granular view of individual contributions during matches played at Hove. The data confirms that both the batting and bowling records are held by players representing Sussex, reflecting the home team's strong statistical presence at their primary ground.

What is the highest team total at The Cooper Associates County Ground?

Highest Team Total at The Cooper Associates County Ground

The highest team total recorded at The Cooper Associates County Ground in T20 Blast competition is 265/5. This record was set by Somerset against Derbyshire in 2022. The match took place at the venue, which is the home ground of Sussex County Cricket Club. The score of 265/5 stands as the benchmark for batting performances at this specific stadium within the T20 Blast format.

The Cooper Associates County Ground, located in Hove, East Sussex, England, has hosted T20 matches since 2014. The venue is known for its historical significance in English cricket, having been the first ground to install permanent floodlights for day/night cricket. It was also the second ground in England to host a day/night match in 1997. The ground features deckchairs for spectators in the Sussex CCC colours of blue and white.

The 265/5 total by Somerset reflects the scoring potential at this venue. The match against Derbyshire in 2022 demonstrated the ground's capacity for high-scoring encounters. This record is specific to the T20 Blast league and does not include other competitions such as The Hundred or T20 Internationals unless explicitly stated in the data. The venue continues to be a key location for Sussex County Cricket Club, hosting most of their home matches since 1872.

Available data does not capture the highest individual score at this venue across this competition. The focus remains on the team total of 265/5 by Somerset. The record is a significant statistic for fans and analysts tracking performance at The Cooper Associates County Ground. The venue's history and facilities contribute to its status as a prominent cricket location in England.

Who holds the record for best bowling at Hove?

Best Bowling Figures at County Ground, Hove

The available data identifies BW Sanderson as the holder of the best bowling record at the County Ground, Hove, within the T20 Blast competition. In a match played in 2025, Sanderson delivered a standout performance, claiming 6 wickets for the concession of only 8 runs. These figures represent the most economical and wicket-rich spell recorded at this venue according to the current dataset.

Contextualising this achievement within the T20 Blast format, a 6-wicket haul is a rare statistical occurrence. The T20 Blast, being the primary domestic T20 league in England and Wales, features varied pitch conditions across county grounds. The County Ground in Hove, home to Sussex County Cricket Club, has hosted T20 matches since 2014. Sanderson's 6/8 performance stands out as the benchmark for bowling excellence at this specific location.

The significance of these figures lies in the balance between wicket-taking ability and economy. Conceding just 8 runs while dismissing six batters indicates a dominant spell, likely involving a mix of dot balls and key breakthroughs. This performance by BW Sanderson in 2025 currently tops the list for best bowling at Hove in the T20 Blast, surpassing other recorded spells at the venue. Fans and analysts tracking T20 Blast records will note this as the definitive bowling record for the ground based on the provided statistics.

See also