Robert Croft's team will play at St Helen's until summer 2005

The long-term future of the Swansea council-owned arena is in doubt but the authority has signed a new deal with Glamorgan that ensures championship matches will be played there until 2005.

St Helen's entered the cricketing history books when former West Indian captain Sir Garfield Sobers hit six sixes in an over while playing there for Nottinghamshire in 1968.

But plans for an all-seater rugby and football stadium at the Morfa site in Swansea means a question mark hangs over St Helen's, which is also used by the Whites.

It is great to see Glamorgan continue its very strong links with Swansea by bringing top-flight cricket to St Helen's Robert Francis-Davies

Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin said, "We are delighted to have secured the deal to stay in Swansea.

"There is a lot of history between St Helen's and Glamorgan and we were very keen to maintain that link.

"From our point of view the future of St Helen's is up to the council but as long as it is there hopefully we will keep coming."

Free entry

Glamorgan use to divide home matches evenly between Swansea and Cardiff's Sophia Gardens, but the club has invested heavily in its ground in the capital meaning fewer games are played in the west.

Swansea Council deputy leader Robert Francis-Davies said securing the cricket was a big boost for the city.

"It is great to see Glamorgan continue its very strong links with Swansea by bringing top-flight cricket to St Helen's," he said.

Meanwhile students and anyone aged 18 or under in full time education in Swansea are being offered free entry to county championship games at St Helen's.

Councillor Francis-Davies added: "We are particularly delighted that young students will gain free admission to most games.

The St Helen's ground has a place in the cricketing history books

"We want to encourage school children to watch and play cricket - hopefully there will be a future Matthew Maynard or Robert Croft among them."

This season's opener at St Helen's is the four-day game against Derbyshire beginning on Wednesday.

Robert Croft's team then take on Worcestershire in a one-day game on 8 June.