Our Swansea outpost since 1921
St. Helen’s is renowned as one of the fastest drying grounds on the county circuit
First staged first-class cricket since 1921, when Glamorgan joined the County Championship
Glamorgan claimed back-to-back victories over Australia at this ground in 1964 and 1968
The first ground where a player scored six sixes in an over – Nottinghamshire’s Sir Garfield Sobers batted a perfect over against Malcolm Nash in 1968
Fastest first-class double-century recorded was at St. Helen’s – Clive Lloyd, 1976
The St. Helen's ground in Swansea has staged first-class cricket ever since Glamorgan joined the County Championship in 1921. The ground, which overlooks Swansea Bay, is laid out on a reclaimed sandbank, and with a sandy subsoil, St. Helen's is considered to be one of the fastest drying grounds in the country. However, the downside of this maritime location is that the wicket can have a fickle character, especially when the tide is in, with the underground moisture aiding swing bowlers. In fact, a number of Glamorgan captains have hastily checked the local tide tables before going out to toss.
Over the years, some of Glamorgan's most famous victories have taken place at Swansea, including their back-to-back victories over Australia in 1964 and 1968. It was also the place where, in 1968, Sir Garfield Sobers of Nottinghamshire and the West Indies, became the first player in cricket history to score six sixes in an over, and it was where Clive Lloyd scored the fastest double-century on record when batting for the West Indians against Glamorgan in 1976.
Swansea was also the ground where, in August 1985, Matthew Maynard launched his county career with a remarkable debut hundred as he reached his maiden first-class century with three successive straight sixes off Yorkshire`s Phil Carrick. Matthew then returned up the 70-odd steps of the pavilion to a standing ovation - somewhat different to the unfortunate fate that befell Mick Norman of Northamptonshire who bagged a king pair in a day at St. Helen's in June 1964 and twice within a few hours had to make the long walk back up to the Swansea pavilion after being dismissed first ball of both innings.
Swansea was the first ground in Wales to stage a One-Day International as in 1973 it hosted England’s Prudential Trophy game against New Zealand. In 1983, the St. Helen’s ground also hosted a match in the ICC World Cup between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Join us in Swansea in 2016 as Glamorgan host Hampshire (31st July) in the final home group game of this year's Royal London One-Day Cup as well as Northamptonshire in a four day Specsavers County Championship fixture at St Helen's from 3rd August.
CLICK HERE to buy tickets or HERE for tourist information if you are planning a visit.
Alternatively CLICK HERE for more details about Country Membership (access to all 5 days play) in Swansea or regular season games at any other home venue.
