The County Ground, Bristol is a picturesque cricket venue located in Bristol, England.
Formerly known as Ashley Down Ground, the County Ground, Bristol was bought by WG Grace in 1889 and has been home to Gloucestershire ever since.
The County Ground, Bristol was later sold to local confectionery firm J. S. Fry & Sons and renamed Fry's Ground. The county bought the ground back in 1933 and it reverted to its original name.
In 1976, the ground was once again sold to Royal & Sun Alliance, who renamed the ground the Phoenix County Ground for eight years before changing to The Royal & Sun Alliance County Ground until the ground was again bought by the club and renamed to its current title.
The County Ground, Bristol staged its first international cricket match, a One-Day International (ODI) played between New Zealand and Sri Lanka during the Prudential World Cup in June 1983. Under the leadership of Geoff Howarth, New Zealand won the ODI by five wickets. Since then, it has hosted 20 ODIs so far.
Let’s have a look at County Ground, Bristol ODI records and stats:
County Ground, Bristol ODI records and stats
Highest total
The England cricket team holds the record for the highest total at County Ground, Bristol in ODI cricket. During the third ODI of West Indies’ tour of England in September 2017, the Eoin Morgan-led hosts posted 369/9 in their 50 overs. England rode on Moeen Ali’s 102 along with contributions from Joe Root (84), Alex Hales (36) and Chris Woakes (34) to post a record ODI total at the venue. In reply, West Indies were bowled out for 245 in 39.1 overs as England won the ODI by 124 runs in Bristol.
Lowest total
The Zimbabwe cricket team registered the lowest total at County Ground, Bristol in ODI cricket. Zimbabwe were bundled out for 92 in 24.5 overs against hosts England in a NatWest Series clash in July 2003. Stuart Matsikenyeri top-scored for Zimbabwe with 26 while Andy Blignaut added 17. Pacer Darren Gough was the wrecker-in-chief for England with 4/26 while all-rounder Andrew Flintoff also bagged three wickets. Later, England chased down the target in 17.5 overs to register a comprehensive six-wicket win.
Most runs
Legendary India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar scored the most runs at this venue in ODI cricket. Between 1999 and 2007, Sachin Tendulkar amassed 352 runs in three ODIs at an average of 176 and a strike rate of 111.74. The swashbuckling right-handed batter slammed two centuries and one fifty in the ODI format at this ground. His former teammate Rahul Dravid features second on the list with 209 runs in three ODIs at an average of 209 and a strike rate of 111.17. He hit one hundred and one fifty in ODIs at County Ground, Bristol.
Most wickets
Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff bagged the most wickets at this ground in ODI cricket. The former right-arm pacer claimed 10 wickets in four matches at an average of 10.80 and an economy of 4.72. He registered best bowling figures of 5/56 at this venue against India in the ODI format. England’s trio of Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett share the second spot with nine ODI wickets each at this venue.
Highest individual score
Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq holds the record for the highest individual score at County Ground, Bristol in the ODI format. Opening the batting, Imam-ul-Haq slammed 151 off just 131 balls against hosts England in the third ODI of a five-match series in May 2019. His magnificent century was laced with 16 fours and one maximum. His ton powered Pakistan to 358/9 in their 50 overs. However, Imam’s century went in vain as England later chased down the target in 44.5 overs to secure a six-wicket win in Bristol.
Best bowling figures
Former New Zealand cricketer Richard Hadlee registered the best bowling figures at County Ground, Bristol in ODI cricket. Richard Hadlee recorded match-winning figures of 5/25 against Sri Lanka during a Prudential World Cup encounter in June 1983. The right-arm pacer dismissed Sidath Wettimuny, captain Duleep Mendis, Arjuna Ranatunga, Ashantha de Mel and Rumesh Ratnayake to bowl out Sri Lanka for 206 in 56.1 overs. New Zealand later won the Prudential World Cup game by five wickets as they chased down the required target in 39.2 overs.
Highest partnership
Former India cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid hold the record for the highest partnership at County Ground, Bristol in ODI cricket. During an ICC World Cup encounter in May 1999, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid forged an unbeaten 237-run stand for the third wicket against Kenya in Bristol. Tendulkar slammed 140 not out while Dravid remained unbeaten on 104 to help India post 329/2 in their 50 overs. In reply, Kenya could only manage 235/7 as the Mohammad Azharuddin-led India won the game by 94 runs.
Photo credit: Imago
