The coming week marks the 50th anniversary of county cricket at Sophia Gardens from 1967 onwards.
Glamorgan CCC had staged their first-class matches at the Arms Park from 1921 until 1966, but the decision by the Welsh Rugby Union to create a National Stadium at the Arms Park saw a move of cricketing activities to Sophia Gardens, with the Welsh county’s final match at the Arms Park taking place against Somerset between August 13th and 16th, 1966.
A few delays duly occurred with the building work at Sophia Gardens and when the inaugural match took place at the ground - against India starting on 24th May, 1967 - the players had to eat in a series of marquees alongside the shell of the new pavilion, whilst other areas of the ground still resembled a building site.
Rain washed out the first day’s play at the new ground, and persistent drizzle the following day meant that a start could not be made until 3.35 p.m., with India winning the toss and electing to bowl, Sadanand Mohol duly bowled the first ball to Alan Jones – now the Club’s President - who shared an opening stand of 47 with Alan Rees until the tourists’ three spinners, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Erapalli Prasanna and Bishen Bedi exploited the conditions as Glamorgan subsided to 117/8.
Rain interrupted play again on the final day and, after it eased, the tourists had some batting practice, whilst Don Shepherd claimed 4/10 in 11 overs before the inaugural first-class match at the new ground ended in a soggy draw.