Full name Mark Alexander Wallace

Born November 19, 1981, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

Current age 27 years 229 days

Major teams Glamorgan, Wales Minor Counties

Nickname Gromitt

Batting style Left-hand bat

Fielding position Wicketkeeper

Height 5 ft 9 in

Education Crickhowell High School

Mark Wallace became Glamorgan's youngest-ever wicket-keeper in Championship cricket when he made his first-class debut against Somerset at Taunton in 1999, at the tender age of 17 years and 287 days.

The left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper had made his debut for the county's 2nd XI in 1997, and for the past few years has been the first choice behind the stumps in the England Under-19 side. He won representative honours against Pakistan in 1998, New Zealand in 1998-99, and Australia in 1999, besides appearing in the 1999-2000 Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

The winter of 2000-01 saw Wallace in action once again with the England U-19 team, this time in India, and in 2001 he became Glamorgan's regular first XI wicket-keeper. He spent the winter of 2001-02 with the ECB Academy in Australia, and led the side in several matches.

In 2002 Wallace made a composed maiden first-class century against Derbyshire in Glamorgan`s opening Championship match. He finished the summer with 61 dismissals, and was a member of the Glamorgan side that won the Norwich Union League title. His outstanding promise was recognised with selection for the ECB Academy in Australia in 2002-03, and he was Glamorgan's Young Player of the Year for 2002.

His alert glovework and deft catching behind the stumps helped Glamorgan to the National League title in 2004, and a place in Division One of the County Championship as the Welsh county won promotion. Wallace continued to score runs consistently in 2005 and 2006 even though Glamorgan struggled as a team.
Andrew Hignell September 2006

NBC Denis Compton Award 1999

Jul 6, 2007

Mark Wallace hit 17 from 11 balls

© Getty Images

Aug 14, 2002

Mark Wallace and Bowler Andrew Davies of the Glamorgan Dragons celebrate the wicket of Nicky Peng for 14 runs

© Cricinfo Ltd

Aug 14, 2002

Mark Wallace whips off the bails but Nicky Phillips is still in the crease. The bowler is Cosker.

© Cricinfo Ltd

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