Norton to Bowl at England Batters ahead of First Test

Norton debuted in first-class cricket for Glamorgan earlier this month when he took a hat-trick on debut, including seven wickets in the match against Somerset. In his second, and only appearance since, he claimed four wickets against Warwickshire in a rain-affected draw.

As the county season has turned to it’s T20 Blast period which will dominate the schedules for the next two months – with two four-day matches sandwiched between in June – Norton’s expertise has been called into action elsewhere, Taff & Daff understands.

The 18-year-old immediately caught attention on his red-ball debut as his hat-trick contained the wicket of James Rew for a duck, who is looking increasingly likely to start the Test summer at number three for England on June 4 at Lord’s.

Glamorgan’s excitement for Norton has long been developing; the seamer made a professional debut as a 17-year-old in one List A match last summer where he claimed three wickets, including that of Pakistan captain Shan Masood. At this time, Norton had never even taken a five-wicket haul at any level.

“I love being thrown in the deep end,” he told Taff & Daff after his first-class debut in reference to bowling with the new ball.

Norton being asked to bowl at England batters isn’t necessarily a suggestion that he is closing in on selection after just two appearances in first-class cricket but with the alternative being to play in the Second XI T20 competition, it is an opportunity for coaches to look closer at the towering, well-built teenager who clocked 83mph and has caused excited recognition by his “release point”.

Director of Cricket Mark Wallace told The Cricketer’s County Conversation Podcast that Glamorgan see Bresnan as a “Tim Bresnan sort of cricketer,” in relation to his bowling style and ability they hope he can provide with the bat.

Glamorgan head coach Richard Dawson is part of a panel of experienced county coaches created to maintain a close relationship between county cricket and England cricket, furthering the link that can be brought together between international recognition for county performances.

Asa Tribe was the only player from the Welsh county picked in the England Lions squad currently taking on South Africa A. The opener scored a century in the second innings of the first Unofficial Test and told reporters that he’d “had a conversation with Rob Key" for his name being "in the hat."