County Ground, New Road in Worcester is the home venue for Worcestershire in the Vitality Blast, having hosted 596 T20 matches since its inaugural game on 16 May 2014. The ground has recorded some of the most extreme scoring performances in the competition, including a highest team total of 265/5 and a lowest team total of 10/0.

Northamptonshire is the most active team at the venue with 110 matches played. Individual records at New Road include a highest batting score of 153 by LJ Wright and the best bowling figures of 7/18 by CN Ackermann.

Worcestershire all-time leading run scorer Vitality Blast. Photo: Ruth Sharville / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Overview

The County Ground, New Road in Worcester serves as the primary home venue for Worcestershire in the Vitality Blast, the premier domestic T20 competition in England. The stadium has hosted a significant volume of T20 Blast action since the format's introduction to the county circuit. The first recorded match at this venue took place on 16 May 2014, establishing New Road as a consistent fixture in the league calendar. As of the most recent data from 31 May 2026, the venue has hosted a total of 596 matches, reflecting its central role in the southern division of the tournament.

Statistical records from Cricsheet provide a definitive overview of the extremes witnessed at New Road. The highest team total recorded at the venue is 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 9 July 2022. This performance highlights the scoring potential of the pitch during peak summer conditions. Conversely, the lowest team total is 10/0, set by Essex on 27 August 2020, demonstrating the variability of match outcomes depending on weather and pitch deterioration. Individual brilliance is also well-documented; LJ Wright holds the record for the highest individual batting score with 153 runs, scored on 25 July 2014. In the bowling department, CN Ackermann recorded the best figures of 7/18 on 7 August 2019, showcasing the venue's capacity to produce dominant individual performances.

Venue Profile

Between 2014 and 2026, the County Ground, New Road hosted 75 T20 Blast matches, establishing a significant footprint in the domestic T20 calendar. The venue's T20 history began on 2014-05-16, with the most recent fixture recorded on 2026-05-31. This period covers over a decade of competitive cricket, providing a robust dataset for analyzing team and player performances at this Worcestershire stronghold.

Statistical extremes at the venue highlight the variability of T20 conditions. 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. These figures demonstrate the range of scoring environments, from dominant batting displays to defensive masterclasses.

Individual brilliance has also been captured in the Cricsheet records. The highest individual batting score is 153, posted by LJ Wright on 2014-07-25. On the bowling front, the best figures are 7/18, recorded by CN Ackermann on 2019-08-07. These performances stand out as key milestones in the venue's T20 Blast history.

While Worcestershire is the nominal home team, Northamptonshire has been the most active team at the venue, featuring in 110 matches. This high frequency of appearances by a visiting side underscores the ground's role as a key fixture in the T20 Blast schedule, attracting multiple franchises over the years. The data reflects a balanced usage pattern, with Northamptonshire leading in match count.

What is the highest team total at County Ground, New Road?

What is the highest team total at County Ground, New Road?

The highest team total recorded at the County Ground, New Road is 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 2022-07-09. This performance stands as the benchmark for batting dominance at the venue within the T20 Blast format. The chase or innings total surpassed previous records, highlighting the scoring potential of the pitch during that specific match.

In contrast, the lowest team total at the venue is 10/0, set by Essex on 2020-08-27. This extreme low demonstrates the variability of conditions at New Road, where teams can be bowled out for a mere ten runs or post a massive 265. The gap between these two extremes underscores the strategic challenges faced by captains selecting playing XIs at this ground.

Individual contributions have also defined records at the venue. The highest individual batting score is 153, scored by LJ Wright on 2014-07-25. This century remains a key milestone in the venue's batting history. On the bowling front, the best figures are 7/18, taken by CN Ackermann on 2019-08-07. These individual performances contribute to the overall statistical profile of the County Ground, New Road.

Northamptonshire is the most active team at the venue, having played 110 matches there. This frequency of visits makes them a significant presence in the venue's history, alongside the home team Worcestershire. The total number of matches played at the ground is 596, spanning from the first match on 2014-05-16 to the most recent on 2026-05-31. This extensive dataset provides a robust foundation for analyzing team and player performances over more than a decade of T20 Blast cricket.

What is the lowest team total at County Ground, New Road?

The lowest team total at the County Ground, New Road is recorded as 10/0 by Essex, achieved on 2020-08-27 according to Cricsheet data. This figure represents the statistical floor for team scores at this venue over the period from 2014 to 2026. The score of 10 runs for no wickets indicates a dominant performance by the opposing bowlers, restricting Essex to a minimal tally in their innings.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at County Ground, New Road?

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

What is the lowest team total at County Ground, New Road?

The lowest team total at the venue is 10/0, achieved by Essex on 27 August 2020.

Who holds the record for the highest individual score at New Road?

LJ Wright holds the record for the highest individual batting score at the venue with 153 runs, scored on 25 July 2014.

What are the best bowling figures recorded at County Ground, New Road?

CN Ackermann recorded the best bowling figures at the venue with 7/18 on 7 August 2019.

Which team has played the most matches at County Ground, New Road?

Northamptonshire is the most active team at the venue, having played 110 matches there.

Summary

County Ground, New Road has hosted 596 T20 Blast matches between 16 May 2014 and 31 May 2026. The venue's statistical extremes include Somerset's 265/5 and Essex's 10/0, with LJ Wright's 153 and CN Ackermann's 7/18 standing as the premier individual records.

See also