5 Jul 2015 | Cricket
He might only be 18 and have just one first-class match under his belt. But that has not stopped many from predicting Gorseinon batsman Aneurin Donald might the next Welshman to play cricket for England.
While seamer James Harris has been close to international recognition on the one-day stage during the last decade, fast bowler Simon Jones was the last Glamorgan star to play Test cricket for England 10 years ago.
Now Harris' fellow Pontarddulais Comprehensive School pupil Aneurin Donald is tipped to be Welsh cricket's next big thing and the talented teenager is more than comfortable with that tag.
I don't see it as a pressure, it's a nice target to aim for and everyone is willing me to get that far, said Donald.
That's the only thing I want to do and hopefully people will help me.
There is a long way to go yet. I need to get in the Glamorgan team first and see what happens from there.
The Ashes Test series starts in Cardiff next Wednesday with Donald admitting he was inspired as 12-year-old watching the historic England and Australia draw six years ago.
I was there when Australia piled up a lot of runs and Ricky Ponting scored a century, recalled Donald.
We chose a good day to go and see some of the greats. To have another Ashes Test back in Cardiff is testament to what they did in that first Test.
The buzz and excitement around the ground for youngsters like myself to see cricket was inspirational and something to aspire to.
Donald has his own Australia test next month when he is set to face their Under-19 side again after being included in the England squad that toured Down Under in the winter and lost a one-day series 3-2.
We were based in Perth and the series was quite surreal, admitted Donald, who captained England to one of their victories.
There is not quite the massive crowds and the television coverage of the senior sides but it has its own hype.
It was such a high standard and a huge learning experience.
The rivalries still go on at that age and the cricket was tough. The local public get on your back as well which all adds to the excitement.
I remember stepping off the plane and having a few words with some of the people working at the airport which was all banter.
But the Australian lads were a nice bunch off the field and we had a barbecue at the end of the series where we mixed.
They are coming back over here later in the summer so hopefully we can correct things and I want to be a part of that before focusing on the England Under-19 World Cup.
Donald has started the season late having finished his A-Levels in Chemistry, Economics and Business at Gower College.
His first focus will be to try and break into the Glamorgan side having played a first-class game at the end of last summer against Hampshire.
In a losing cause, Donald demonstrated his talents by following up his first innings score of four with a maiden first-class 50, an exciting 59 from 60 balls including seven fours and two sixes.
It was nice to come with a bit of score after the first innings, added Donald.
It was nice to go there and express the way I play and not feel under any pressure.
It showed people what I could do and pay back a little of the faith placed in me and prove I could perform at that level.
Donald has prompted the Glamorgan management by scoring a century for the second team this week and was included as 12th man NatWest T20 Blast squad for the Hampshire trip and could make a county championship return against Derbyshire on Monday at Chesterfield.
I hope I can break into that first team, added Donald.
The weight of runs is how it works and the only way to achieve that is get the stats on the board in the second team and try and hammer the door down.
I want to nail down a spot but I know that is going to be tough because the boys are playing so well at the moment.
Donald has linked up with Llanelli-based firm Owens Logistics who have become his bat sponsor.
At this age it's always a bit of a show of faith and hopefully when I progress with my career I can put something back, added Donald.
These things makes a massive difference at my age when you don't make the big money until you are a big name.
Every little helps and I am just grateful to be involved with Owens, especially as a local west Wales lad.
Owens Logistics Operation Director Ian Owen added: Before Aneurin, the last cricketer we got involved with was Simon Jones.
He is from Dafen and we gave him a job at the time serving petrol and handed him a little car. We supported Simon at a young age and he went and he flew.
It's a pleasure to be involved with Aneurin and if he takes the same path as Simon, it would be fantastic.
Ian Bird, Director of Evolution Sports Management, facilitated the deal.
Aneurin is from this part of the world and Owens is a nationally recognised business, said Bird.
So I thought the synergy between the two is perfect. I made the call to Ian and he was only to happy to get involved and we were only too grateful to get involved.
Owens Logistics has been involved in supporting young sporting stars in the past and they are a massive in the community.
It was a chance to get some branding through a bat sponsor which is a popular thing these days and Aneurin has ambitions of playing for England.
This is not something we are looking to do as a flash in the pan and hopefully this relationship can grow.