The rise of Glamorgan's record-breaking teenager Norton

"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."

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."