Donald Equals Maynard Record And Hints At More To Come

Aneurin Donald came close to breaking a Glamorgan record as the talented teenager led his team to another NatWest T20 Blast victory.

The 19-year-old hit 55 in 27 balls as Glamorgan beat Hampshire by five wickets at the Swalec Stadium on Friday night, where South African pace bowler Dale Steyn also picked up his first wickets for the county.

Donald gave further evidence of his huge potential by smashing a 24-ball half-century – equalling the record of the late Tom Maynard for the fastest 50 in T20 competition by a Glamorgan home-grown batsman.

His only regret was that he was not there to see the job through after he put on 94 in just 8.3 overs with Colin Ingram.

The win was Glamorgan’s second in their opening three games in the competition and it leaves them top of the south group with five games to play.

Donald, who also struck a half-century in the defeat to Essex on Wednesday night, said: “I hit them really well from the start. It’s always nice to get off to a flier because it takes the pressure off you and having Colin hit them that well at the other end is always helpful.

“I should have been 70 not out but it’s nice to be hitting it this well and hopefully I can really push on now.

“We did well to restrict them, the guys bowled really well – especially Michael (Hogan) and it was nice to see Dale (Steyn) on the board.”

Steyn took 3 for 22 and Hogan managed 4 for 28 as Hampshire were dismissed for just 141 off 18.3 overs. That total was chased down by Glamorgan with relative ease and with 23 balls to spare.

Donald’s innings of 55 in 27 balls included eight fours and two sixes, improving on his previous best of 51 against Essex two days previously.

Hamsphire captain James Vince said: “We were disappointed to be bowled out inside 20 overs.

“We want to be positive but we need to be smarter with bat and ball and hopefully we’ll string some wins together.

“We were reasonably placed coming towards the end of the powerplay, but there was a lack of smartness in the middle overs. We had the odd partnership but nothing to put them on the back foot.”