SWANSEA — After 137 years of hosting first-class cricket, the final ball has been bowled at St Helen's.
The historic Swansea ground, a jewel in Welsh sporting history, will no longer be a venue for Glamorgan County Cricket Club, bringing an end to an era filled with legendary performances, record-breaking feats, and unforgettable Welsh summers.
BBC Sport Wales looks back on some of the most iconic moments that cemented St Helen's place in the annals of cricketing folklore, from the thunderous hitting of a West Indian great to the quiet dignity of a local hero's final farewell.
Sir Garfield Sobers' Monumental Six
Perhaps the most famous incident in the ground's long history occurred on August 31, 1968. Batting for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan, the legendary West Indian all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers struck a Malcolm Nash delivery so ferociously it sailed out of the ground and landed on the adjacent Cricketers' pub.
This wasn't just any big hit; it was the first time a batsman had struck six sixes in a single first-class over. Nash, to his eternal credit, continued to toss the ball up, and Sobers, with breathtaking power and precision, dispatched each one into the stands. Former Glamorgan captain Tony Lewis later recalled the moment, saying:
"It was awesome, brutal power. After the sixth, the crowd fell silent for a second in sheer disbelief before erupting."
The Unforgettable Debut of Don Shepherd
While Sobers provided the fireworks, the heart of St Helen's often beat to the rhythm of its local heroes. Off-spinner Don Shepherd, a Swansea boy, became one of the most prolific wicket-takers in county cricket history, and his career was intrinsically linked to the ground.
He took his 2,000th first-class wicket at St Helen's in 1972, a testament to his incredible longevity and skill. Shepherd’s mastery over line and length, turning the ball on a surface that often offered assistance, made him a fan favourite and a nightmare for visiting batsmen for over two decades.
Glamorgan's 1969 Championship Triumph
St Helen's was the stage for one of the most significant triumphs in Welsh sporting history. In September 1969, Glamorgan secured the County Championship title by defeating Worcestershire at their Swansea fortress.
The victory, achieved in front of a rapturous home crowd, was a defining moment for Welsh cricket. It was a team effort built on local talent, with the likes of Alan Jones and Tony Lewis leading the charge, proving that a Welsh county could compete with and beat the best in England.
The Batting Brilliance of Steve James
More modern memories belong to batsman Steve James, who crafted a magnificent 309 not out against Sussex at St Helen's in 2000. It was a monumental innings of concentration and class, the highest individual score ever made by a Glamorgan batsman at the ground.
His partnership with Matthew Maynard piled on the runs and showcased the kind of dominant batting the St Helen's pitch could produce when at its best. James later described the innings as "a perfect day in a perfect setting."
A Stage for International Cricket
While primarily a county ground, St Helen's also hosted its share of international fixtures. It was a venue for the 1983 ICC Trophy, a tournament for associate nations, and more recently, it welcomed women's internationals.
In 2010, Australia Women faced England Women in a One-Day International at the ground, bringing world-class talent to Swansea and inspiring a new generation of cricketers in the region.
The Final Curtain Call
The decision to leave was driven by the commercial and logistical challenges of an older ground. The final County Championship match at the venue concluded in September 2023, a low-scoring affair against Leicestershire that Glamorgan won by 70 runs.
It was a fittingly competitive end on the pitch, but the real emotion was reserved for the farewells. The ground has given cricket in Wales countless memories, including:
- The historic six sixes by Sir Garfield Sobers.
- Glamorgan's 1969 County Championship victory.
- The record-breaking feats of local legends like Don Shepherd.
- The development of future stars on its hallowed turf.
As the gates close for the final time, the legacy of St Helen's is secure. It was more than just a cricket ground; it was a repository of community spirit and sporting history. Former Glamorgan wicketkeeper Colin Metson perhaps summed it up best:
"There was nowhere else like it. The sound of the ball hitting the boundary boards, the view from the field, the crowd... it was magic. It’s the end of an era, but what an era it was."
While the future of Glamorgan cricket moves to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff and other modern venues, the soul of the game in Wales will always have a home in the memories created at the beloved St Helen's.