Despite only playing one first-class match during 1997, he became a heavy scorer in the Second XI, at which point the retirement of Hugh Morris allowed the young Welshman to take his place as a regular opening batsman.
Despite only playing one first-class match in 1997, he became a prolific scorer in the Second XI, at which point the retirement of Hugh Morris enabled the young Welshman to assume his place as a regular opening batsman.