Who is Aneurin Donald, England batter set to make his debut in the first T20I against Sri Lanka?

Before his recent exploits which earned him a place in the squad, the opener had endured a difficult start to his cricket career | Photo Credit: Reuters

Opener Aneurin Donald will make his England debut in the first T20I against Sri Lanka at the Aegeas Bowl in Southampaton on Tuesday.

At 29 years and 268 days old, Donald will become the oldest player to debut for England since Dawid Malan in 2017, who also made his international debut when he was 29.

Before his recent exploits which earned him a place in the squad, the opener had endured a difficult start to his cricket career.

Donald suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for Hampshire in 2019 which forced him to miss three seasons of action.

But since 2023, the 29-year-old has established himself as one of the most explosive openers going around in England’s domestic T20 circuit.

Out of batters that have scored atleast 1000 runs and played a minimum of 25 matches since 2024, Donald’s strike rate of 215.7 ranks second, only behind India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Donald also scored 489 runs including four fifties, across 12 Vitality Blast matches this season, while smacking 37 sixes, a tournament record.

The 29-year-old then smashed 38 off 19 balls in the Hundred final to help Trent Rockets win the title.