Swing bowler Owen Parkin burst onto the county scene in 1996, taking 5-28 on his Sunday League debut against Sussex at Hove. It was a worthy reward for the former Bath University student who had spent much of the previous summer on the sidelines after a serious back injury. Corrective surgery and long hours at Glamorgan's Indoor School resulted in a full return to fitness.

Parkin continued his progress in 1998, and in 1999 Parkin topped the county`s bowling averages. He has subsequently become an integral member of the county`s attack in one day cricket, and his fine bowling in the Benson and Hedges Cup matches in 2000 was one of the factors behind Glamorgan playing in their first Lord`s final since 1977.

Although he was born in Coventry, Parkin`s family hail from Gwent. He was educated in Bournemouth and played Minor County cricket for Dorset in 1992. The following summer Parkin joined the Glamorgan staff and in 1994 he made his first-class debut against Middlesex at Lord's. (Contributed by Andrew Hignell - October 2002)