Can Carlson 'prove doubters wrong' in Division One?

When Kiran Carlson brought up his maiden century in just his third first-class match for Glamorgan on 12 September 2016, it concluded a chaotic day.

Up against Essex in Chelmsford, the game's start was delayed by 90 minutes after Glamorgan's kit van was stuck in traffic on the A12.

By the end of the day, Carlson had become the youngest player to score a first-class century for Glamorgan - at 18 years and 119 days - in a knock of patience and precision beyond his years.

It was the third week of a first-class career that included a five-wicket haul on debut, a pair in his second game and a maiden century in his third match.

Some welcome to the professional game.

Now, nearly 10 years later, the 27-year-old is preparing for his first season as club captain and Glamorgan's first in Division One of the County Championship since 2005.

Despite a compelling start to his career, Carlson says his 18-year-old self would not believe it if someone told him he would be club captain in 10 years.

"I think he'd be surprised, it's not something that I thought about when I began playing, about having a long career," the Cardiff-born batting all-rounder told BBC Sport Wales.

"I was just happy to have the opportunity. I probably didn't realise that I had the chance to build a career and a successful one."

Carlson's frank self-assessment of his entrance into the professional game differs to Mark Wallace's memory.

Glamorgan's current director of cricket turned from teammate to boss, having called time on a 17-year professional career at the end of Carlson's breakthrough season in 2016.

Wallace, however, still remembers his first impression of the club's future skipper.

"It was noticeable when he came in how calm he was," Wallace recalled.

"He wasn't overawed at all by the occasion of being so young and making his debut, he just came and played.

"He had an air of confidence which has seen him in good stead throughout his career."

At the end of 2020, Carlson would have been justified in his doubts over the reality of building a long career for himself.

After an impressive start to first-class cricket, his progress stuttered over the following years, resulting in him being dropped in 2019.

The following year was no better for the Welshman as he averaged 13.62 in four-day cricket and 4.6 in T20's during a difficult time balancing an engineering degree with the trials and tribulations of a top-order batsman.

Carlson finally managed to kickstart a career that threatened to fade into obscurity in 2021, with 928 red-ball runs at an average of 48.84.

It was a much-needed return for the dynamic batsman who credited some hard conversations and a change in mentality with his upturn in form.

"I think it was a lot of growing up and some hard stern chats with people around me, the realisation that if I work hard at my batting I can be successful and consistent," Carlson explained.

"During the time I was at uni I was probably just happy playing cricket whilst studying but didn't realise I could actually build a long career.

"I figured out exactly how I'm going to score runs, when before I didn't have that. Now, I could draw out a plan of how I'd want to score every run or what a 100 looks like against different bowlers."

At the end of the 2021 season, Carlson capped off a resurgent year by leading Glamorgan to One-Day Cup victory, a first trophy for the club since 2004.

In 2026 - with Sam Northeast having rejoined Kent - he will be hoping to draw on those experiences as he takes the reins in first class matches for the club's long-awaited return to division one of the County Championship

"We played some really good cricket last year, and our team is full of match winners," said Carlson.

"We have a solid squad with some great players and human beings in there. It's always a challenge being the underdog but it's something I think we can use in our favour, there will be times when we will need to scrap but that's fine."

Staying in Division One as a newly promoted side is a tough task for any team, let alone one led by a new club captain.

However, Wallace believes Carlson and his team-mates will relish the challenge.

"We've got a new-ish captain in Kieran. It was quite obvious early on that he's a bright lad," said Glamorgan's director of cricket.

"He understands the game. He's he's very much a people person, somebody who wants to build relationships. I think he's certainly got the tactical nous and the tactical acumen to lead us well.

"We will have to prove a few doubters wrong. We're not underestimating the challenge that we'll have in front of us having not played Division One cricket for so long."

With all of the challenges the top flight will bring to the County's shores this summer, Glamorgan believe they have the right man to navigate them to safety.

Carlson has shown throughout his career that he is not afraid of resetting after faliure and asking questions of himself.

But what answers the Welshman comes up with this season may just end up defining Glamorgan's year.