SWALEC Stadium is a cricket stadium on the west bank of the River Taff in Cardiff, one mile north of Cardiff Arms Park and was originally known as Sophia Gardens (Welsh: Gerddi Soffia ) named after Lady Sophia Rawdon-Hastings. Daughter of the 1st Marquess of Hastings and wife to the 2nd Marquess of Bute, Lady Sophia was concerned to provide open space for recreation in the rapidly expanding city in the late 1800s, in which her husband was heavily involved. The area is currently owned by Cardiff City Council.

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County cricket

The SWALEC Stadium is home to the Glamorgan County Cricket Club. The cricket club has played first-class cricket matches at the venue since 1967, after moving away from Cardiff Arms Park. A 125-year lease of the ground was acquired in 1995, with the previous leaseholders, Cardiff Athletic Club, moving their cricketing operations to the Diamond Ground in Whitchurch.

Beside the cricket ground is the large sports hall complex of the Welsh Institute of Sport. Cardiff Corinthians F.C. have previously used the area for football.

International cricket

Five One Day Internationals have been hosted at the SWALEC Stadium since 1999. On 11 April 2008, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that the SWALEC Stadium would host a series of major Test matches over the next four years. They had already announced that the Stadium would host a One Day International between England and South Africa on 3 September 2008 and that it would host its first Test match between England and Australia in the first match of the The Ashes series on 8 July 2009. ^[1]

The stadium redevelopment

On 4 March 2008, Glamorgan Cricket Club announced a 10 year sponsorship deal with SWALEC, thought to be the biggest single sponsorship by a county cricket club, giving SWALEC the naming rights to the new stadium, which is worth in excess of £1.5 million over 10 years. ^[2] The GB£9.4 million redeveloped stadium ^[3], with approximately half of the funding (£4.5m) being provided in the form of a Cardiff Council loan. It is possible that the revamped stadium could host seven Test matches, nine One Day Internationals and two World Cup games up to 2028, injecting at least £50m into the local economy. ^{[4] [5]} Construction of the redevelopment of Sophia Gardens began in April 2007, ^[1] and the redeveloped stadium was first opened for competitive matches on 9 May 2008, when the Glamorgan Dragons played the Gloucestershire Gladiators in a Friends Provident Trophy match in which the Gladiators won by six wickets. ^[7]

Trivia

In July 2007 Glamorgan cricketer, Mike Powell, was granted his wish to have a rib, removed during surgery, buried at the ground. ^[8]

See also

• List of cricket grounds in England and Wales
• List of sports venues with sole naming rights

Notes

1. SWALEC Stadium awarded more international cricket
2. The SWALEC Stadium
3. Atherton says Cardiff ground “too small” for Ashes cricket
4. Cardiff to host Ashes Test match
5. Cardiff to host Ashes Test in 2009
6. SWALEC Stadium awarded more international cricket
7. Gladiators spoil Glamorgan’s opening-night party
8. Powell buries his rib at Sophia Gardens

References

1. SWALEC Stadium awarded more international cricket
2. The SWALEC Stadium
3. Atherton says Cardiff ground “too small” for Ashes cricket
4. Cardiff to host Ashes Test match
5. Cardiff to host Ashes Test in 2009
6. SWALEC Stadium awarded more international cricket
7. Gladiators spoil Glamorgan’s opening-night party
8. Powell buries his rib at Sophia Gardens