The rise of Glamorgan's record-breaking teenager Norton

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

• Published12 May 2026, 04:47 BST

Handed his County Championship debut by Glamorgan, 18-year-old bowler Tom Norton was cock-a-hoop with his figures of 3-75 as Somerset amassed 354 in their first innings after being put in to bat in Cardiff by the hosts.

His next three wickets in the visitors' second innings on Sunday took the young seamer into dreamland, ripping through Somerset's top order with three successive balls for a record-setting hat-trick.

First to fall was opener James Rew, the England hopeful gloving to Asa Tribe at slip. Tom Lammonby strode out to the crease and was immediately trotting back to the pavilion after edging to wicket-keeper Chris Cooke.

In came Archie Vaughan, the son of England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael, and in ran Norton, pitching a ball that rattled into the pads.

Sophia Gardens held its breath until umpire Paul Pollard raised his finger with a decision that saw Norton mobbed by his team-mates.

Norton became the youngest player to record a first-class hat-trick for Glamorgan, the youngest on record from any team to do it on first-class debut, and the first of any age on Championship debut since 1906.

England paceman Jeff Jones - father of another 2005 Ashes hero, Simon Jones - was the previous youngest to achieve the feat for Glamorgan aged 20, back in 1962.

Norton would finish with 4-61 as Somerset subsided to 157 all out, with Glamorgan digging deep to chase down victory and complete the perfect picture - finishing on 285-8 to claim a historic first home win in Division One.

A special memory 'for the rest of my life'

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Understandably, Norton took some time to come to terms with the events of a very special first-class debut.

"I never thought this would happen," he said.

"I was happy to get my first wicket to get me off my mark in first-class cricket... a first wicket in first-class cricket is something special, it doesn't get taken away from you ever in your life.

"But to take a hat-trick on my debut is something I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

"It's a really special feeling, hopefully I'll have my name in the record books for a long, long time.

"I don't remember much of the celebrations after. I just saw the nicks and the LBW and just went off and ran wildly."

Norton described the moment as "surreal", for both him and his family.

"It was special to have them here on my first day. Mum watching my cap presentation was great, so it was a really special day for all of us," he said.

"I've worked since I was about six years of age to do this - that's what I've wanted to do.

"I've worked hard on my fitness the last few years to get in the shape to play first-class cricket

"I also get told I've got the build of a rugby player as well - I'd love to do both but... it was always cricket for me."

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Who is Tom Norton?

Born in Abergavenny on 8 August 2007, Norton - a right‑hand batter and seam bowler - progressed through club cricket and Glamorgan's academy, making his second XI debut in 2022 and impressing with both bat and ball.

He made his first‑team debut for Glamorgan in July 2024 in a one‑day friendly against Wiltshire at Swindon, becoming one of the county's youngest players aged 16 years and 348 days.

Norton was part of Glamorgan's One-Day Cup squads in both 2024 and 2025, and he made his first XI debut against Leicestershire at Sophia Gardens in August last year.

His senior debut followed an outstanding season with Glamorgan's second XI, alongside a title-winning summer with the club's under-18s.

Norton was rewarded in January when he was added to the Welsh county's first-team squad on a two-year rookie deal.

'A phenomenal talent, strong and mature'

Norton has impressed his senior bowling partner Timm van der Gugten, who had a perfect view of the youngster stepping into the spotlight as the 35-year-old was off the field after taking a blow to the elbow when Somerset went into bat again.

"Yeah, phenomenal. We've known Tom's a talent for a couple of years now and he's just really come on," Van der Gugten said.

"I think he's had a really big pre-season, worked hard on his body shape, worked on his run-up, worked on his action. You can see that it's all kind of paying off. He's taken a lot of wickets in the [second XI], kind of knocked down the door.

"We were all over the moon for him. He was obviously excited just to play a game and excited just to take a wicket. But to go out there and bowl like he did [Sunday] evening especially was something really special and I'm sure he will never forget it.

"I'm sure none of us in the changing room will really forget it.

"It's quite hard to believe that he's only 18. I think he's got a lot of room to grow and a lot more potential to get better and better."

Glamorgan coach Richard Dawson also sees a bright future ahead for Norton after his Championship debut.

"I thought it was very impressive," Dawson said.

"He didn't get flustered the day before the game when I told him he was playing, and taking the new ball he was excited and he just looked ready coming off the back of good performances for the seconds.

"He's showed consistency and pace as well, he bowled a heavy ball during this game and for an 18-year-old it was really impressive how he showed maturity during a match that had a lot going on."

Dawson believes Norton, who spent part of last winter playing club cricket in Australia, has both the skills and the temperament to succeed.

"He's got a really strong, repeatable action, he hits the pitch hard and he was bowling wicket-taking balls consistently, challenging the batsman, always in the game so that was really impressive," said the former England spinner.

"He's bowling big spells as well, coming back with good pace.

"He's done a lot of hard work in the winter, he went to Australia for a few months and has put in some hard work since he came back so it's nice to see it's had an effect.

"He's got a good build, he's a strong boy, still a work in progress but he's got some potential."

Commentator analysis

BBC Sport Wales cricket expert Nick Webb:

"Norton looks explosive with the ball at a healthy medium-fast pace, and he showed signs of a decent technique in his one first-team innings.

"it's always exciting to see young Welsh talent coming through, especially after a couple of decades when home-grown seam bowling talent has been thin on the ground apart from the recently retired James Harris' two spells at the club.

"Huw Waters' career was cut short by injury, while Lukas Carey did not quite build the lengthy career he looked capable of.

"Hopefully Richard Dawson will manage Norton's workload carefully to prevent the sort of fitness concerns that have halted several young Welsh bowlers' promising careers."

Related topics

• Glamorgan
• Wales Sport
• County Cricket
• Cricket

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