Donald makes shock switch to join Hampshire

ONE of the biggest young talents to emerge from Welsh cricket in years has opted to move from Glamorgan to Hampshire, writes DOMINIC BOOTH.

Aneurin Donald has turned down a new threeyear contract from the county to start a fresh challenge on the south coast.

He joins Hampshire initially on loan until the end of the season before making the switch permanent for 2019.

Donald hit the headlines as a 19-year-old in 2016 when he smashed a world record-equalling 234 off 136 balls at Colwyn Bay against Derbyshire.

It was an innings that drew lavish praise from a number of quarters, including former England captain Michael Vaughan.

But Donald’s progress has been stalled in the last year or two and he was dropped for County Championship matches this season by head coach Robert Croft.

Donald, now 21, played for and captained England Under-19s alongside former Test opener Haseeb Hameed, current Test allrounder Sam Curran and leg spinner Mason Crane.

He said: “I am very grateful to everyone involved in Welsh Cricket who have helped me to develop all the way through to realising my dream of playing cricket for Glamorgan.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and the club will always hold a special place in my heart. I would like to wish the players, supporters and staff all the very best for the future.”

Chief executive Hugh Morris, said: “Our strategy is increasingly focused on providing opportunities in the first team to young talented players who have come through the Glamorgan Pathway system.

“This year 10 players who have come through our programme have played first-class cricket, including Aneurin who made his debut as a 17-year-old.”

“In line with our approach we offered Aneurin a new three-year contract to keep him at Glamorgan, which we believed was the best place for him to develop his cricket further.

“We are therefore disappointed he rejected the offer and has decided to move on from the club. We would however like to thank Aneurin for his contribution to Glamorgan and wish him success in the future.”

Meanwhile, on the field, Glamorgan are heading towards another disappointing defeat.

After bowling out Durham for 295 on the second day of their Championship clash at Cardiff, they crashed to 79 for seven in their second innings, to still trail their visitors by 62 runs with just three wickets in hand.

■ England face a huge challenge to save the third Test after a century from India captain Virat Kohli on day three at Trent Bridge.

Kohli’s exemplary 103, added to 72 from Cheteshwar Pujara and Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 52, allowed the tourists to declare on 352-7, setting England a notional 521 to win.

The home side were on 23-0 at the close after nine overs.