The boundary height at one end of St Helen's rugby and cricket ground would have to be raised for first-class cricket to return to Swansea's famous seaside ground, a senior councillor has said. A total of 35 sixes were struck the last time a one-day match was held there, in 2017, many of which were deposited onto Mumbles Road. Cllr Robert Francis-Davies said these blows presented "some near misses for the adjacent highways".
The cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism was responding in writing to a question from four councillors, whose Uplands ward incorporates St Helen's, about what the council was doing to secure the reinstatement of first-class cricket in Swansea for 2023. The last first-class match held there was in 2019 - and this summer Glamorgan will play at The Gnoll, Neath, on August 17 and August 19, but not at St Helen's.
Cllr Francis-Davies's list of what work would be required to meet new England and Wales Cricket Board regulations covered toilet provision, disabled access facilities and viewing platforms, a diverse food and drink offer, family facilities, multi-faith quiet space, umpire and staff changing and dining facilities, medical facilities, and control room and security upgrades. He said there would be a need for the council to dig up and re-lay three pitches on the square to maintain adequate standards, as well as address the low boundary at the Mumbles Road end. You can read more stories about Swansea here.
