Glamorgan confirm St Helen’s no longer a ground option

Glamorgan have confirmed that there is no possibility of returning to play cricket matches at St Helen’s in Swansea.

The county have not played a fixture at the ground since 2019.

In 2021, the then Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris warned that the surface, outfield and facilities would not meet required first-class cricket standards that were introduced in 2023.

Rugby union side Ospreys will develop the stadium as their new home when they move from the Swansea.com Stadium, a situation that could see the relocation of Swansea CC who have played at the venue since 1875.

On Friday, current Glamorgan chief executive Dan Cherry told the BBC’s Radio Wales Sport programme that St Helen’s did not figure in the county’s future.

“Sadly cricket has taken a backward step down there in recent years and it’s made it very tough for us with increased standards of professional cricket and facilities,” Cherry said.

“St Helen’s didn’t keep up pace – it’s really sad for us and for organisations like the St Helen’s Balconiers who’ve been fantastic supporters of Glamorgan. It’s a real shame.

“It’s a great opportunities for the Ospreys, and in some ways it will be fantastic to see professional sport played there on a regular basis, but it is a sad day for Glamorgan cricket that we won’t be able to play at St Helen’s.

“But we’re committed to look at other options. We’re keen on looking at partnerships in west Wales.”

Colwyn Bay in north Wales has hosted Glamorgan first-class matches since the 1960s, while Neath Cricket Club will host a One Day Cup game between Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire on 31 July.

“Neath and their council have been proactive so far in discussions – it’s a long way away at the minute but I’m very hopeful that we’ll able to put more investment into Neath and make that a fantastic venue for us moving forward,” Cherry added.

The news could see an end to St Helen’s rich 150-year association with cricket.

In 1968, Sir Garfield Sobers famously hit six sixes in an over – which has been described as the most famous in cricket history – while playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan at St Helen’s.