Australia started their 2024 England tour with a 28-run victory in the 1st T20I at The Rose Bowl. The next fixture is set for September 13th at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. The venue has hosted 9 men’s T20I matches, all featuring the English side. On the other hand, the Aussies played their only T20I in Cardiff in 2015.
Sophia Gardens has remained a favorable venue for England, as they have an 8-win record in the 9 matches they have played here. In fact, they won 8 consecutive T20I matches at this venue until they faced South Africa in July 2022, which was the last T20I held here.
Sophia Gardens Cardiff Men’s T20I Records
- Matches Played: 9
- Won by the team batting first: 3
- Won by the team batting second: 6
- Biggest score while batting first: South Africa – 207/3 (20) vs England, 2022
- Lowest score while batting first: Pakistan – 89/10 vs England, 2010
- Biggest total chased: England chased 173 vs England, 2019
- Lowest score defended: England defended 182 vs Australia, 2015
- Sophia Gardens average 1st innings score in T20I: 145
- Sophia Gardens average 2nd innings score in T20I: 138
Sophia Gardens Cardiff Pitch Report for ENG vs AUS T20I
The toss-winning team is expected to field first, as Sophia Gardens has been a good venue for chasing. There will be help for pacers in the initial overs, with the pitch offering good pace and bounce. However, this even bounce also benefits batters, allowing them to time the ball well. Bowlers will need to be precise with their line and length. The middle overs will be crucial, where batters will need to play carefully. Spinners will come into play as soon as the powerplay ends.
Cardiff Cricket Stadium Last T20I Match Scorecard
The last T20I fixture at Sophia Gardens took place in July 2022, a face-off between England and South Africa. Jos Buttler’s decision to bowl first backfired, as David Miller’s South Africa posted a mammoth 207 runs, setting the highest T20I total at the venue. It proved too difficult for England to chase, as their batting line-up was restricted to 149 runs in 16.4 overs.
| South Africa: 207-3 (20) | England: 149-10 (16.4) |
| Rilee Rossouw: 96*(55) | Jonny Bairstow: 30(21) |
| Reeza Hendricks: 53(32) | Jos Buttler: 29(14) |
| Heinrich Klaasen: 19(10) | Moeen Ali: 28(17) |
| Moeen Ali: 2 – 0 – 17 – 1 | Tabraiz Shamsi: 4 – 0 – 27 – 3 |
| Richard Gleeson: 3 – 0 – 38 – 1 | Andile Phehlukwayo: 3 – 0 – 39 – 3 |
| Chris Jordan: 4 – 0 – 43 – 1 | Lungi Ngidi: 2.4 – 0 – 11 – 2 |
| Match Result: South Africa won by 58 runs. |