The Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground is a beautiful stadium located in Cardiff, Wales.
Built in Sophia Gardens on the River Taff, this stadium is the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club and the England cricket team.
The Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground staged its first One-Day International (ODI) between Australia and New Zealand during the ICC World Cup in 1999. The Stephen Fleming-led Kiwis won the match by five wickets. Since then, it has hosted over 25 ODIs so far.
It has also hosted several marquee cricket tournaments including the ICC World Cup 1999, ICC Champions Trophy 2013, ICC Champions Trophy 2017 and the ICC World Cup 2019.
Let’s have a look at Sophia Gardens ODI records and stats:
Sophia Gardens ODI records and stats
Highest team total
The England cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at the Sophia Gardens in ODI cricket. During an ICC World Cup 2019 clash, the Eoin Morgan-led England scored 386/6 against Bangladesh in their 50 overs. Opener Jason Roy slammed 153 off 121 balls, while Jos Buttler (64) and Jonny Bairstow (51) hit fifties to power England to a mammoth total. In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for 280 in 48.5 overs as England won the match by 106 runs in Cardiff.
Lowest team total
The Afghanistan cricket team recorded the lowest team total at the Sophia Gardens in the ODI format. South Africa bundled out Afghanistan for 125 in 34.1 overs during an ICC World Cup 2019 encounter in Cardiff. Rashid Khan (35) and Noor Ali Zadran (32) were the top-scorers for Afghanistan. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Imran Tahir was the wrecker-in-chief for South Africa as he picked up four wickets for just 29 runs in his seven overs. South Africa later chased down the required target in 28.4 overs with nine wickets in hand.
Most runs
England’s Jason Roy has scored the most runs at this venue in ODI cricket. The swashbuckling opening batter amassed 407 runs in five matches at a magnificent average of 81.40 and an impressive strike rate of 108.53. He slammed two hundreds and one fifty in the 50-over format at Sophia Gardens. England’s Jos Buttler is second on the list with 371 runs in eight matches.
Most wickets
England fast bowler Liam Plunkett bagged the most wickets at Sophia Gardens in ODI cricket. Between 2016 and 2019, the right-arm pacer picked up 12 wickets in five matches at an average of 18.41 and an economy of 5.43. He registered best bowling figures of 4/53 on this ground in the ODI format. Pakistan’s Hasan Ali features second on the list with 10 wickets in four matches.
Highest individual score
Jason Roy holds the record for the highest individual score at this venue in the ODI format. During an ICC World Cup 2019 clash, opening batter Jason Roy hammered 153 off just 121 balls against Bangladesh to power England to 386/6 in their allotted 50 overs. Roy’s knock was laced with 14 fours and five sixes. England later bowled out Bangladesh for 280 to register a 106-run victory in Cardiff.
Best bowling figures
India’s Ravindra Jadeja registered the best bowling figures at the Sophia Gardens in ODI cricket. During the second ODI of India’s tour of England in 2014, Jadeja recorded match-winning bowling figures of 4/28 in just seven overs to help the visitors secure a 133-run win (D/L method). Jadeja claimed the huge wickets of Alex Hales, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes. Jadeja’s brilliant spell helped India bowl out England for 161 in 38.1 overs. Earlier, Suresh Raina (100), Rohit Sharma (52) and captain MS Dhoni (52) guided India to 304/6.
Highest partnership
Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Mahmudullah hold the record for the highest partnership at the Sophia Gardens in the ODI format. Chasing 266 against New Zealand, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah stitched a match-winning 224-run stand for the fifth wicket during a Group A clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. While Shakib slammed 114, Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on 102. Bangladesh won the match by five wickets.
Photo credit: Alamy
