• St. Helen’s is renowned as one of the fastest-drying grounds on the county circuit
  • The first County Championship match staged at the Swansea ground took place in 1921 following Glamorgan's elevation into first-class cricket.
  • Glamorgan claimed back-to-back victories over the Australians at Swansea in 1964 and 1968
  • St.Helen's was where Nottinghamshire’s Sir Garfield Sobers became the first man to hit six sixes in an over (against Glamorgan's Malcolm Nash) in 1968.
  • It was the venue for Matthew Maynard's thrilling hundred on his first-class debut for Glamorgan, during the Championship match against Yorkshire in 1985.
  • A blue plaque was unveiled at the venue in August 2016 to celebrate the rich cricketing history of the ground


The St. Helen's ground in Swansea has staged Championship cricket ever since Glamorgan were elevated into first-class cricket 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.

CLICK HERE for tourist information if you are planning a visit to Swansea

 

Directions to St Helen's

St Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground
Bryn Road
Brynmill
Swansea
SA2 0AR

 

 

By road
 
  • Leave M4 motorway at Junction 42
  • Follow A483 to traffic lights and join A4067, sign-posted Gower
  • Follow A4067 for approximately 2 miles
  • St Helen's will on the right hand side 

 

By train
 

Swansea is easy to reach by fast and frequent services from most parts of the UK. For more information visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

 

By bus
 

There are bus stops at various junctures along the Oystermouth Road with a short walk to the ground once you get off at the stop.

 

Match-day parking
 

There is a limited amount of disabled parking near the ground. Please contact Reception at Glamorgan Cricket on 02920 409 380 to enquire about availability.

For standard parking, please follow the directions to the Recreation Ground

  • Leave M4 motorway at Junction 42
  • Follow A483 to traffic lights and join A4067, sign-posted GOWER
  • Follow A4067 for approximately 2 miles
  • Passing St Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground on the right, at the next set of traffic light turn right onto Brynmill Lane
  • At the roundabout take the 3rd exit (turn back on yourself) back to the lights
  • Turn left at the traffic lights and the recreation ground is less than 100m on the left hand side
  • This parking is pay and display - please pay the attendant