Aneurin Henry Thomas Donald, born on March 24, 1997, is a dynamic cricketer from Swansea, England. Known for his destructive batting in limited-overs cricket and an aggressive approach in the first-class game, Aneurin Donald has emerged as a promising talent in the cricketing world.
Hailing from a cricketing family, Aneurin Donald has strong ties with Glamorgan, his native county. His great-uncle, the legendary cricketer Bernard Hedges, represented Glamorgan in over 400 games between 1950 and 1967, inspiring Donald to follow in his footsteps.
Aneurin Donald’s journey into professional cricket began when he broke into the Glamorgan first team after years of hard work in the age-group and second XI levels. His dedication and perseverance paid off when he earned a place in the England Under-19 set-up, where he showcased his leadership skills by sharing captaincy duties with Haseeb Hameed. Although he did not perform up to his potential with the bat at that time, it was clear that Donald possessed immense promise.
The breakthrough moment of Aneurin Donald’s career came in 2016 when, at the age of 19, he stunned the cricketing world with a remarkable maiden Championship hundred. In that match against Derbyshire, he smashed 234 runs off just 136 deliveries, equalling the record for the fastest double-century in first-class cricket. His audacious innings, which included 15 sixes, revealed his explosive batting style and cemented his position as one to watch out for.
While he displayed glimpses of brilliance in limited-overs cricket, including a stunning 40-ball 76 against Surrey at The Oval in 2017, his performances were inconsistent. Frustrated by his inability to consistently make an impact, Aneurin Donald made the difficult decision to leave Glamorgan and join Hampshire in late 2018. He cited his desire to play international cricket as the driving force behind this move.
In his first full season with Hampshire, Aneurin Donald showcased his talent by playing two memorable innings in the County Championship. In his debut first-class game for Hampshire, he scored a quickfire 75 off just 56 balls against Warwickshire, making an immediate impression. Additionally, he grabbed the spotlight in July when he annihilated the same Warwickshire attack by smashing 173 runs off 144 deliveries in a stunning counterattacking innings from the No. 6 position.
Despite his impressive performances, Aneurin Donald faced disappointment towards the end of the season when he failed to attract any interest in the inaugural draft for the Hundred. However, this setback is unlikely to deter his determination and ambition to achieve greater heights in his cricketing career.
Aneurin Donald’s journey as a cricketer is just beginning, and he has already garnered attention for his explosive batting style and immense potential. As he continues to evolve and gain experience, it is only a matter of time before he fulfills his dream of representing England and becomes a force to be reckoned with in international cricket.