Devon Cricket Board - Glamorgan register Bovey paceman

Glamorgan register Bovey paceman

BOVEY Tracey paceman Nathan Roberts has been registered by Glamorgan as fast-bowling cover as they grapple with an injury crisis.

Roberts has taken 24 Premier Division wickets at around 11 runs each this season, which puts him second behind Sidmouth’s Dan Babula with 25.

Roberts, who is 23, learned his cricket in South Africa but was born in Burton-on-Trent so is not categorised as an overseas player.

Dad Bruce, who was born in Zambia, had a 10-year-career in county cricket with Derbyshire and Nathan came along while he was living in this country.

The family moved to South Africa when Nathan was four or five and he went through the provincial and university cricket system with KwaZulu-Natal and later Boland.

Bruce always kept in touch with his UK contacts though and they helped Nathan get trials with a number of counties.

“I first came over in 2010 and had some games with Sussex and Glamorgan during what was my gap year before going to university,” said Roberts (left).

“I took my dad’s advice and spent the next three years at university rather than going to a cricket academy so I have that behind me in the years ahead.

“Now I have finished at university I am the right age to have a real go at breaking into professional cricket.

“When I came back to the UK this year I played some games for Somerset 2^nd XI, but they have a big staff and lots of seamers so there wasn’t much of an opportunity.

“Glamorgan is set up slightly differently as a county with fewer players. I have been playing for them for the last month in 2^nd XI cricket – one and three-day games – and they wanted to register me.

“I am there as a fall back should they need me, although I am not very high up the pecking order yet.”

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773