County Ground, New Road in Worcester has hosted 596 Vitality Blast matches since its first T20 fixture on 16 May 2014, serving as a high-scoring venue for Worcestershire and visiting counties.
The ground holds the record for the highest team total in T20 Blast history at the venue, with Somerset posting 265/5 in July 2022, while Northamptonshire stands out as the most active franchise with 110 matches played.
Overview
The County Ground, New Road in Worcester serves as the primary home venue for Worcestershire in the T20 Blast. The stadium has been a consistent fixture in the county competition since the league's inaugural season in 2014. According to Cricsheet data, the venue has hosted a total of 596 matches in the competition, with the first recorded game taking place on 2014-05-16 and the most recent on 2026-05-31. This extensive schedule underscores the ground's importance to the T20 Blast calendar and its role in shaping the competitive landscape of English county cricket.
Among the most notable records at New Road is the highest team total of 265/5, set by Somerset on 2022-07-09. This performance highlights the batting-friendly conditions that can prevail at the venue, particularly when the pitch offers consistent bounce and pace. In contrast, the lowest team total recorded at the ground is 10/0 by Essex on 2020-08-27, demonstrating the potential for dramatic collapses and the influence of bowling-friendly tracks. These extremes reflect the diverse challenges faced by teams competing at Worcester.
Individual brilliance has also been on display at the County Ground. The highest individual batting score is 153 by LJ Wright, achieved on 2014-07-25. This monumental innings remains a benchmark for batting excellence at the venue. On the bowling front, the best figures are 7/18 by CN Ackermann on 2019-08-07, showcasing the potential for dominant performances when the ball finds extra movement or bounce. These records illustrate the high level of competition and the memorable moments that have defined T20 Blast cricket at New Road.
Northamptonshire stands out as the most active team at the venue, having played 110 matches at the County Ground. This frequency of visits reflects the team's strategic use of New Road as a key location for their T20 Blast campaigns. The ground's ability to host a high volume of matches, combined with its historical significance and modern facilities, makes it a vital asset for Worcestershire and the broader T20 Blast ecosystem. As the competition continues to evolve, the County Ground remains a central stage for showcasing the talent and intensity of county cricket.
Team Records at New Road
Team performance metrics at the County Ground, New Road reveal significant variance in scoring patterns across the T20 Blast competition. The venue has hosted 596 matches since its inaugural game on 2014-05-16, with the most recent contest recorded on 2026-05-31. Within this extensive dataset, Somerset established the benchmark for offensive dominance by posting the highest team total of 265/5. This record was set on 2022-07-09, showcasing the pitch's capacity to reward aggressive batting when conditions align favorably for the top order.
Conversely, defensive resilience or early collapse defines the lower end of the statistical spectrum. Essex holds the record for the lowest team total at the venue, scoring just 10/0. This unusual figure was recorded on 2020-08-27, indicating a match scenario where the innings concluded or was affected by specific match dynamics resulting in a minimal run tally. Such extremes highlight the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket at New Road, where team totals can swing from over 260 runs to single digits depending on bowling pressure and batting form.
Northamptonshire emerges as the most frequent visitor to the Worcester venue, having played 110 matches there. This high volume of fixtures suggests strategic scheduling or geographic proximity influencing the county's home advantage utilization. The data from Cricsheet serves as the canonical source for these team records, ensuring accuracy in tracking historical performance trends. Analysts and fantasy cricket players often reference these extremes—Somerset's 265/5 and Essex's 10/0—to gauge potential scorelines when projecting outcomes for future T20 Blast encounters at New Road.
Individual Performance Records
Individual brilliance has also been on display at the venue, with LJ Wright holding the record for the highest individual batting score. Wright scored 153 runs for Worcestershire on 2014-07-25, establishing a benchmark for batting dominance at New Road. This performance remains the standout individual chase in the venue's T20 Blast history, surpassing other notable innings recorded since the first match was played on 2014-05-16.
On the bowling front, CN Ackermann delivered the best bowling figures at the ground. Ackermann took 7 wickets for 18 runs on 2019-08-07, showcasing exceptional control and wicket-taking ability in a single match. This performance stands as the most dominant individual bowling spell recorded in the 596 matches held at the venue up to 2026-05-31.
Worcestershire players have also contributed significantly to the individual records at their home ground. T Kohler-Cadmore scored 127 runs for Worcestershire on 2016-05-20, marking one of the highest individual scores by a home player. This innings highlights the batting depth available to the franchise when competing at New Road.
More recently, BW Sanderson achieved notable bowling success with figures of 6/8 on 2025-06-06. This performance demonstrates the continued emergence of individual brilliance in the T20 Blast era, adding to the rich tapestry of records at the County Ground. Such individual milestones complement the team performance metrics, including the highest team total of 265/5 by Somerset and the lowest team total of 10/0 by Essex.
What is the highest team total at County Ground, New Road?
The highest team total recorded at the County Ground, New Road in the T20 Blast is 265/5, achieved by Somerset on 2022-07-09. This score stands as the benchmark for batting dominance at the venue, surpassing other notable chases and first-innings efforts since the ground hosted its first T20 match in 2014. The innings reflects the scoring potential of the pitch, which has facilitated high-scoring encounters across 596 matches up to the most recent fixture on 2026-05-31.
While Somerset's 265/5 is the current record, the venue has seen a wide range of team performances. At the other end of the spectrum, Essex recorded the lowest team total of 10/0 on 2020-08-27, highlighting the variable conditions that can challenge batting lineups. The contrast between these extremes underscores the strategic depth required for teams competing at New Road, where both explosive batting and tight bowling spells can define match outcomes.
Individual contributions have played a crucial role in these team totals. LJ Wright scored the highest individual batting score of 153 on 2014-07-25, providing a foundation for high team scores in the early years of the venue's T20 history. On the bowling front, CN Ackermann delivered the best bowling figures of 7/18 on 2019-08-07, demonstrating how individual brilliance can restrict team totals or accelerate the fall of wickets.
Northamptonshire has been the most active team at the venue, participating in 110 matches. Their frequent presence has contributed to the rich statistical history of the ground, with numerous high-scoring games and competitive matchups. The venue continues to be a key location in the T20 Blast calendar, offering a stage for both established franchises and emerging talents to showcase their skills.
Who holds the best bowling figures at New Road?
Who holds the best bowling figures at New Road?
The most dominant individual bowling performance in T20 Blast history at the County Ground, New Road, belongs to BW Sanderson. On 2025-06-06, Sanderson claimed 6 wickets for just 8 runs, a spell that stands as the best bowling record for the venue in this competition. This achievement highlights the potential for bowlers to exploit the conditions at Worcester, particularly when the pitch offers assistance through movement or variable bounce.
While Sanderson's 6/8 is the current benchmark for best bowling figures, other notable performances have contributed to the venue's statistical profile. CN Ackermann delivered the best bowling figures recorded in the broader Cricsheet dataset for the venue, taking 7 wickets for 18 runs on 2019-08-07. However, within the specific context of the T20 Blast records highlighted for this section, Sanderson's efficiency—averaging just over 1.3 runs per wicket—remains the standout metric for strike rate and economy combined.
Bowling excellence at New Road often correlates with the team's overall defensive strategy. The venue has hosted 596 matches since its first T20 fixture on 2014-05-16, providing ample opportunity for bowlers to set records. The most recent match at the ground took place on 2026-05-31, keeping the statistical ledger active. Teams visiting Worcester must account for these historical bowling threats, as the pitch can favor disciplined line-and-length deliveries or aggressive swing, depending on the stage of the match.
The contrast between the highest team total of 265/5 by Somerset on 2022-07-09 and the lowest total of 10/0 by Essex on 2020-08-27 underscores the variability of conditions. Bowlers like Sanderson thrive in such environments, where a single over can shift the momentum entirely. Northamptonshire, the most active team at the venue with 110 matches, has likely faced these bowling challenges repeatedly, adapting their batting orders to counter the specific strengths of New Road's bowlers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at County Ground, New Road?
Somerset recorded the highest team total of 265/5 on 9 July 2022.
Who holds the best bowling figures at New Road?
CN Ackermann holds the best bowling figures with 7/18, achieved on 7 August 2019.
Which team has played the most matches at New Road?
Northamptonshire is the most active team at the venue, having played 110 matches.
When was the first T20 match played at County Ground, New Road?
The first T20 match at the venue took place on 16 May 2014.
Who holds the record for the highest individual score at New Road?
LJ Wright holds the record for the highest individual batting score with 153, scored on 25 July 2014.
Summary
County Ground, New Road has hosted 596 T20 Blast matches between 16 May 2014 and 31 May 2026. Key records include Somerset's highest team total of 265/5, LJ Wright's highest individual score of 153, and CN Ackermann's best bowling figures of 7/18.