The rise of Glamorgan’s record-breaking teenager NortonImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Glamorgan bowler Tom Norton was born and educated in AbergavennyByBruce Pope, BBC Sport Wales and Nick Webb, BBC Sport WalesPublished12 May 2026, 04:47 BSTUpdated 12 minutes agoHanded 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.
