St Helen’s

[exiledclaseboy]

The last ever cricket match there will take place today. An iconic ground, full of history. Some of my favourite days out were watching cricket there back in the day. Sad times.

 

[J_B]

Glamorgan v Australia 1968. Alan Jones out for 99, Malcolm Nash running through them with Brian Lewis. Captivated a then 11 year old boy and a deep love of the game ensued.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

Glamorgan v Australia 1968. Alan Jones out for 99, Malcolm Nash running through them with Brian Lewis. Captivated a then 11 year old boy and a deep love of the game ensued.

Before my time but I was reading about that game yesterday. Superb cricket writer Scyld Berry has written a lovely article about St Helen’s but sadly it’s behind the Telegraph paywall.

 

[TheLoneRanger]

Before my time but I was reading about that game yesterday. Superb cricket writer Scyld Berry has written a lovely article about St Helen’s but sadly it’s behind the Telegraph paywall.

"Wales’ most famous cricket ground is about to host its final match" ...​

https://archive.is/rihhW

 

[cmajack]

Glamorgan v Australia 1968. Alan Jones out for 99, Malcolm Nash running through them with Brian Lewis. Captivated a then 11 year old boy and a deep love of the game ensued.

Was there myself as a 12 year old, always remember Glamorgan winning , and the Australian Paul Sheahan , his name has always stuck with me, scored 137 in their second innings.

 

[J_B]

Was there myself as a 12 year old, always remember Glamorgan winning , and the Australian Paul Sheahan , his name has always stuck with me, scored 137 in their second innings.

Yes, I remember that taking the final Australian wicket seemed to take ages. Also Majid's quickfire (by 1968 standards) 50 in the first Glamorgan innings.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-england-1968-61359/glamorgan-vs-australians-tour-match-577770/full-scorecard

 

[exiledclaseboy]

Link to the scorecards above. It’s not displayed properly for me but the link works.

 

[Neath_Jack]

Link to the scorecards above. It’s not displayed properly for me but the link works.

Works if you just click the empty space

 

[J_B]

What a Glamorgan side that was. Became champions the following year.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

What a Glamorgan side that was. Became champions the following year.

Real longevity in some of those players too. I remember a few of them from my own formative years watching Glamorgan.

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

The last ever cricket match there will take place today. An iconic ground, full of history. Some of my favourite days out were watching cricket there back in the day. Sad times.

Very sad day but obviously on the cards for the last 15-20 years.

Making Sophia Gardens a ‘test ground’ has no doubt helped the Glamorgan coffers (albeit with large handouts and grants) but I’m convinced that the lack of home grown players being produced in Wales is in no small part down to making the ‘county’ so Cardiff centric.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

Very sad day but obviously on the cards for the last 15-20 years.

Making Sophia Gardens a ‘test ground’ has no doubt helped the Glamorgan coffers (albeit with large handouts and grants) but I’m convinced that the lack of home grown players being produced in Wales is in no small part down to making the ‘county’ so Cardiff centric.

And now all Cardiff gets is one ODI or T20 every year. Usually in autumn or spring. Ten years since its last test match. No prospect of another test.

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

And now all Cardiff gets is one ODI or T20 every year. Usually in autumn or spring. Ten years since its last test match. No prospect of another test.

Very true.

Although I guess recently it has guaranteed them a franchise in the Hundred and with the new investment criteria they’ll keep that for the foreseeable despite poor performances and crowds.

Producing a number of high quality county players (and some test standard) and having the second highest membership (with interest all across Wales) seems a lifetime ago now though.

 

[Cooperman]

I didn’t get there for the first time until 1987. Glammy up against Worcestershire in one of the one day comps, I was in total awe at seeing Beefy and Ravi Shastri in the flesh.