Telegraph Sport reporter Fraser Watson met with Glamorgan CC spinner Andrew Salter in Sophia Gardens, before taking the former St Ishmaels star on in the nets!

Games spread throughout the summer, exotic international tours, days off aplenty, and the odd net session to keep you occupied in the winter. Bliss.

Of course, all of the above are ridiculous notions, and views that belong to those with no insight or understanding of the modern day professional game.

So when I arrived at Sophia Gardens on a misty Wednesday morning last week to attend a Glamorgan CC training session, I was under no illusion I was about to delve into a standard of proficiency that an incompetent local cricketer like myself would struggle to comprehend.

And my visit was timely, with the side currently prospering in the South group of the NatWest T20 Blast. Despite the obstructive Welsh weather, that has seen three consecutive home games abandoned due to relentless rain, The Dragons remain very much in contention to qualify for the quarter finals as group winners.

But whilst the squad has undoubtedly adopted an international theme, with skipper Jacques Rudolph heading a star studded contingent of former and current South African internationals to mix with further overseas and British talent – my main focus was on an a key club figure who hails from considerably closer to home.

Andrew Salter was just 14 when he helped St Ishmaels to a Harrison Allen Bowl title in 2007, a trophy widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of Pembrokeshire cricket.

His talent back then was clear to see, but unlike so many others from our neck of the woods, he continued to utilise it.

Numerous Welsh age group caps and Glamorgan Academy appearances followed, before a first class debut for Cardiff MCCCU against Somerset in early 2013.

But it was four months later when the off spinner announced himself on the County Championship stage in the most dramatic manner possible, taking the wicket of Leicestershire’s Shiv Thakor with his very first delivery.

Fast forward four years, and the former Milford Haven pupil is now integral to The Dragons in all three forms of the game.

As for Salter, it was heartening to learn he has not lost touch with his roots or memories of home.

He recalls the extra significance of that Bowl final, as afterwards was the first time he ever properly got drunk. He vividly remembers his position as opener being the subject of much discussion after failing in his two innings – before the game was rained off and replayed 24 hours later.

Sure enough, he kept his place in the order, and responded with a half century to help his side home.

But what of his time at Sophia Gardens? And more specifically, the four years proceeding that magical debut moment.

“I still remember ‘Crofty’ (Robert Croft) giving me my cap and then getting the wicket with my first ball with Mark Wallace keeping,” he admits.

“It doesn’t feel like it was that long ago and yet so much has happened since then.”

Indeed it has. Salter has since spent two British winters out in Australia, firstly in 2014 with the Darren Lehmann Academy in Adelaide and the following summer to play grade cricket in Sydney – decisions he says have served to benefit his game.

“The Lehmann Academy was a very structured camp where they put you through your paces technically and fitness wise,” he recalls.

“You don’t go there to catch some rays. It was tough and the great thing was being on my own as such, as it was up to me to suss things out and test myself.”

Speaking of structure, like most County Championship players, Salter is a fan of the new format which has seen the T20 competition played in a block, as opposed to intermittently with the four day games.

“It’s brilliant.

“You learn quickly in this competition and you can set game plans and go by game by game. For a player it’s perfect as going from a four day game to a T20 match the next day can be difficult.”

And whilst Glamorgan have clearly warmed to the new format (at the time of writing they sit top of their group with three games to go), Salter admits past experiences have increased his determination to help The Dragons make the most of their opportunity.

Indeed, his time at Glamorgan has not been without its near misses.

In 2014, he was left with the unenviable task of having to hit a six off thei final ball to beat Lancashire in their Natwest T20 quarter final at Old Trafford, and see his side into the prestigious finals day.

“I edged it into the off side for four – so we only lost by one run.

“But it wasn’t a great shot. The moment doesn’t haunt me or anything but I have wondered since if I should have tried to play it differently. It was in the slot for me to hit.”

The season prior to that, the 24-tear-old had been a part of the county’s run to the YB 40 final at Lord’s. He would personally impress that day, but the side were soundly beaten by Nottinghamshire by 87 runs.

“Those things do make you hungry for success. What drives any team is the desire to win trophies and that’s what we want to do.

“We don’t just want to reach T20 finals day - we want to go all the way and show what Glamorgan are all about.”

Salter’s determination to play a part in team success is evident, and this season his batting displays in the four day matches have become as notable as performances with ball in hand. It has meant variable batting roles, with his position in order fluctuating frequently.

“I’d probably describe my role as a more dynamic one now,” he said.

“I batted No 3 against Durham which was a good challenge, and have had a lot of time in the middle in some tricky conditions.

“I’ve worked at different aspects of my game to benefit the team where and when they need me.

“It’s been the same with my bowling in the T20. I’ve opened the bowling and bowled at different stages here and there, and with the bat I’ve come in at five but with the ability to come in all the way down to nine.

“I’m happy to be dynamic and adapt.”

At this point, I deliberately diverted discussions away from Salter’s team ethic, to his individual goals. And I couldn’t help but resist asking the question that every young professional cricketer inevitably encounters.

Does he dream of England selection one day?

“My biggest goal is to get an England Lions spot,” he admits, with little hesitation.

“I honestly feel if I get the right opportunities with bat and ball and take them, then I can offer enough to push for selection.

“It’s one of my main goals.”

His words were bittersweet.

On the one hand, it was pleasing to see Salter’s clear determination to continue to improve, and to one day merit international selection.

On the other, we were about to embark on a pre-arranged agreement whereby he bowled an over at me, which prompted him to half jokingly mutter: “This should build my confidence ahead of tomorrow’s game.”

Suddenly, the half century I scored for Llanrhian 3rds against Stackpole 2nds in Division Seven of my local league in 2003, didn’t shine quite so brightly on the CV when faced with fending off a top class bowler with Test Match aspirations.

Earlier, I had watched in awe as David Miller, of Proteas and IPL fame, had worked on advancing down the track to slower bowlers. At one point, no less than six consecutive deliveries had finished in the upper regions of the grandstand.

And this of course, was no grassroots net session. Overseen by head coach Croft, varied advanced equipment was in place to ensure all players were tested to the full.

I had also wondered into the vast indoor arena, where Chris Cooke, the side’s wicketkeeper batsman, had been working on his cover drives. Balls flew at him from the bowling machine at a pace I could barely comprehend.

And yet now here I was, a self-confessed village cricketer yet to ever own so much as my own set of pads, strolling towards the stumps to face a bowler who frequently troubles the elite.

Give me 20 years, and I’ll happily tell you about the day I ‘trialled’ with The Dragons, and slapped one of their finest to all parts of the internationally renowned Swalec Stadium.

In truth, this is how it really went……

An over with off spinner Andrew Salter:

Ball one: I suspect Mr Salter is warming up here, as he offers a bit of a flight to a delivery that pitches outside off, but turns and bounces towards my mid-drift. I manage to bring the bat down and get enough on it to fend it away to the leg side. First ball humiliation avoided.

Ball two: This one is slightly wider and a bit shorter. It keeps low, and at the last second I decide to play at it and get a tickle along the ground. In reality, it probably would have gone straight to the fielder at gully who would have gathered with ease. But in my head, I’m giving myself a single down to third man.

Ball three: Just when I was eyeing up coming out unscathed, the bowler decides enough is enough. He fizzes one down at the sort of pace I would expect from an opening quick in Pembrokeshire cricket, I regrettably go back to it, and the ball spins in and whizzes through the ‘gate’. Salter claims the ball nicked off stump on the way through (the bails were not on), but stand in umpire and Glamorgan media officer Lewis Morgan takes pity on me and shakes his head. Salter is of course, absolutely correct, but I was always taught that the umpire’s decision is final……

Ball four: No amount of umpiring bias can save me this time. Another one fizzes down, again I go back in a mangled attempt to get in line, and the ball zips in and clatters middle stump. I’m beginning to realise that my tried and tested technique in local cricket of stepping back and smothering ‘slow’ bowling, is not quite cutting it against a professional who mixes it with the elite.

Ball five: With the last thought in mind. I decide I’m taking a stride forward to the next ball regardless. Salter drops his pace and takes a more leg side line. I get nowhere near it with the bat, but the ball flicks my pad and in my head I claim a leg bye. Not so, in an attempt to wind up his friend, umpire Morgan signals a leg side wide. He probably thinks he’s doing me a favour by extending my moment in the limelight by one more ball. I’m not sure he is…..

Ball six: Salter has by now clearly proven his point, and tosses this one up with the air of a man saying ‘have a swing’. But by this point, I’m in full on survival mode, and settle for getting in line and dead batting it safely into the ground. Unlike the last three deliveries, I feel leather on willow.

Ball seven: Confirming my suspicions, Salter announces he will be giving me one ‘to hit’. My eyes light up. I look up to the grandstand, envisaging my own David Miller moment, and being able to one day tell my children about the moment I took six off one of Glamorgan’s finest. He throws down what he would call a long hop, short and wide, and I take an almighty baseball like swing - and inevitably get a ‘toe end’ that barely trickles off the square. I glance up to see head coach Croft looking over and laughing, and he doesn’t appear to be pulling out any signing on forms…..