Former cricket star's art to help fund club's move

A FORMER England wicket-keeper is releasing a limited number of prints of a painting he did of Swansea's St Helen’s sports ground to help the cricket club based there with its move to a new site.

- RICHARD YOULE

Jack Russell played 94 international matches for England between 1987 and 1998, but it was with his county, Gloucestershire, that he crossed the boundary rope several times at St Helen’s Rugby and Cricket Ground to play Glamorgan.

It was one of his favourite grounds and one of many he has painted, and on hearing that Swansea Cricket Club was having to relocate after a 150-year stint to make way for regional rugby side the Ospreys, Mr Russell offered to release 150 signed prints of the original artwork.

Cricket club chairman Mike Hayden said it would receive a donation from the sale of each print. The first one of the series, though, will be displayed in the clubhouse at the club’s new ground off Sketty Lane, Sketty.

“Jack contacted me at the beginning of January out of the blue saying he'd picked up on it being our 150th anniversary at St Helen's,” said Mr Hayden.

“He said it was very sad it was our last year. He'd sold his original painting but had never released prints before. He's only going to do 150 prints - each one individually signed - to help with our relocation costs, which is very nice of him.”

Mr Russell said he used to love playing at the seafront ground, which is owned by Swansea Council and is where Glamorgan played some of their home matches up to 2019.