Aneurin Donald: Life on the South Coast

Aneurin Donald’s first season in a Hampshire shirt has seen his time on the south coast begin with promise, but the opening batsman knows there is still plenty left in the tank when it comes to scoring runs at the The Ageas Bowl. 

Donald made the decision to leave his home county and say goodbye to Glamorgan to join Hampshire at the back end of the 2018 season, a choice he’s delighted he made.

“I’ve settled in really well and all the boys have been welcoming so life on the south coast is a pretty good one.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have known a few of the lads before I moved down here, I spent most of my teenage years with Joe Weatherley, Mason Crane and Brad Taylor across the England age groups, it was like reuniting with some long lost friends!”

A strong start to the 2019 season meant that Hampshire and Donald had reached their second successive Royal London One-Day Cup final, an occasion which provided him with further justification to make the trip down the M4 permanent.

“Within my first month or two I was playing in a Lord’s final which was pretty special. On paper, that alone showed me that the move is worthwhile both personally and professionally.

“It was obviously a tough decision to leave my home county but the facilities and the people down here have made it a very successful first season and hopefully the only way is up from here.”

Despite being known for his aggressive style with the bat in T20 cricket, Donald notched up 554 runs in the County Championship this season at an average of nearly 40.

“I’ve been really pleased in the red ball format. I think the fans knew of my quality in T20’s but I’ve had to wait to get in the team and show what I can do in the Championship.

“Finishing high up in the averages and putting a couple of big scores on the board has been great but hopefully I can nail down a spot now and cement my place in that lower middle order.”

Donald treated Hampshire Members at the The Ageas Bowl in July, recording a magnificent 173 against Warwickshire displaying an exhibition of his attacking intent.

But the Welshman is confident that’s not all he can offer with the bat.

“I’ve had a good year but I’ve been almost testing out the waters this season, getting used to the pitch and the dimensions of the ground.

“I feel like I’m really close to having that big breakthrough season, I’m playing in a team full of international players and guys that have had plenty of England Lions caps too, so I’m in no better place than to try and achieve that season soon.”

Donald is already back at the The Ageas Bowl developing his game and has set ambitious sights in preparation for a busy schedule in 2020.

“I’d love to win a trophy next year. Our championship achievement was something to be very proud of as was our one-day campaign, to be that close to two trophies shows the strength in depth that we have on board here.

“There’s absolutely no reason why we can’t go one or two better and challenge convincingly in all three competitions.”

The best way to catch Aneurin and the rest of the Hampshire squad in action all year long next season is with a 2020 Hampshire Cricket Membership and there’s never been a better time to join or renew.

More information on each Membership offering can be found online via the link above, over the phone on 0844 847 1863 or in person at the The Ageas Bowl Ticket Office (Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm).