England vs Australia 2024 T20I series: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff pitch history and T20I records
The second T20I of the England vs Australia series will take place at the Sophia Gardens tonight. Australia won the first T20I in Southampton comfortably, and they will aim to gain an unassailable 2-0 lead in Cardiff tonight.
On the other side, England will aim to improve their bowling performance in the powerplay and level the series. Australia blew England away in the first six overs of their innings in Southampton. Travis Head and Matt Short will be keen to do the same in Cardiff.
Before the second T20I of the England vs Australia series starts, here's a quick look at the pitch history of tonight's venue.
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff T20I records
Cardiff has hosted 10 T20Is so far, with England having an envious 8-1 win-loss record on this ground. The only team to defeat England in a T20I at this venue is South Africa, who beat them in July 2022.
Earlier this year, Cardiff was scheduled to host a bilateral T20I between England and Pakistan, but the match got abandoned due to rain. Here are some other vital stats and numbers to know from previous T20Is hosted by this ground:
T20I matches played: 10
Won by teams batting first: 3
Won by teams batting second: 6
Abandoned: 1
Highest team total: 207/3 - South Africa vs England, 2022
Lowest team total: 89 - Pakistan vs England, 2010
Highest successful run-chase: 175/3 - England vs Pakistan, 2019
Highest individual score: 96* - Rilee Rossouw (SA) vs England, 2022
Best bowling figures: 4/32 - Dane Paterson (SA) vs England, 2017
Average first innings score: 135
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff pitch report
The pitch in Cardiff generally helps pacers and batters. Lesser-known South African speedster Dane Paterson surprised the England team by bagging a four-wicket haul in a T20I match played on this ground in 2017.
Australia have not played a T20I at this venue since August 31, 2015. England should look to take the home advantage and level the series.
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff last T20I
In the last completed T20I match at this venue, South Africa beat England by 58 runs. The match happened on July 28, 2022, where Rilee Rossouw's incredible 55-ball 96* helped the Proteas post 207/3 on the board in 20 overs.
Chasing 208 to maintain their 100% win record at Sophia Gardens, England were bundled out for 149. 13 wickets fell in that game, with spinners taking five of them. The batters hit total 12 sixes in 36.4 overs. Here's a brief summary of the scorecard:
Brief scores: South Africa 207/3 (Rilee Rossouw 96*, Moeen Ali 1/17) beat England 149 (Jonny Bairstow 30, Tabraiz Shamsi 3/27) by 58 runs.