Aneurin Donald ruled out for majority of 2020 season after ACL injury

Aneurin Donald is set to miss the whole of the 2020 season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Donald, the 22-year-old batsman, joined Hampshire from Glamorgan towards the end of the 2018 domestic season, and impressed in his first full season at the club, hitting a 144-ball 173 against Warwickshire in the Championship and regularly scoring quickly at the start of a T20 innings.

But after suffering the injury to his ACL last week, Donald underwent an operation this week, and Hampshire physio James Clegg confirmed that his is expected to miss most of the upcoming domestic season.

"Thanks to all the doctors/nurses/surgeons who have looked after me the past week or so," Donald posted on Instagram. "Long road back to recovery starts now.. Appreciate all the love and support I've received to date. Will be back stronger."

The news represents a major blow to Donald, whose move to the Ageas Bowl came about in part due to his hopes of an England call-up.

He first announced himself as a 19-year-old in the Glamorgan side when he spanked 234 off just 136 balls, equalling the record for the fastest double-century in first-class cricket, in a remarkable maiden Championship ton at Colwyn Bay. He hit Derbyshire's attack for 15 sixes, and made headlines as a future star.

There were flashes of brilliance in his fledgling white-ball career, including a 40-ball 76 at The Oval in 2017, but he failed to make a half-century in 2018, and finished last season with a disappointment when he found no takers in the inaugural draft for the Hundred.