Glamorgan ready to make a mark after ending long wait

IT has been a long 13-year wait for Glamorgan, but today in front of a soldout Edgbaston crowd Robert Croft’s side take their place in county cricket’s endof-season showpiece.

Croft was a member of the side that were beaten by Leicestershire at the semi-final stage at the same Birmingham venue in 2004 and despite a few appearances in the knockout stages, a place in the spotlight has proven elusive since then.

Here, we look at how Glamorgan have defied the pre-tournament odds as they stand toe-to-toe with the NatWest Blast T20 big-hitters. GLAMORGAN batsman Colin Ingram is determined to enjoy his first-ever T20 Finals Day, but insists the Welsh county are not just there to make up the numbers.

Ingram, pictured above, has been one of domestic T20 cricket’s most consistent performers over the past 18 months and hopes to inspire Glamorgan to their maiden NatWest T20 Blast crown at Edgbaston on Saturday. They face home side Birmingham Bears in the first semi-final.

The Welsh county last made the tournament’s semi-finals in 2004, but atoned for last year’s quarter-final heartbreak against Yorkshire with a rampant victory over Leicestershire in Cardiff this time arond.

And after hitting his 30th six of this year’s competition in that nine-wicket win over the Foxes, Ingram wrote his name into the record books.

His 30 maximums are more than any batsman has ever managed in the Blast.

The Leicestershire win, in front of a boisterous Welsh crowd, boosted hopes that Glamorgan could go all the way and lift the trophy under skipper Jacques Rudolph this year.

And fellow South African Ingram can’t wait to bask in the big occasion, with the chance to propel the county to a first piece of silverware since their 2004 National League triumph.

“It’s not something I’ve been part of before,” Ingram said of the notorious Finals Day experience.

“Last year we were extremely disappointed to crash out in the quarterfinals, so the whole squad is extremely excited and ready to get up there

“It brings out the best of us and our different personalities back in the changing room. We get to express ourselves and we’ve enjoyed some good form. When you play well it builds a bit of confidence and we’re a confident group now and we know our skills.”

Ingram revealed the secret to Glamorgan’s success was playing with a smile - but he was keen to reward a loyal Welsh support with a big display on Saturday.

The county boast another South African international, David Miller, in their batting lineup for Finals Day after the explosive middle-order player jetted back to feature in the quarter-final.

On the team spirit, Ingram added: “We’ve all just really enjoyed it and got some really positive results over the last couple of years it’s kicked us on to the next level.

“The quarter-final was a massive win for us where we really righted the wrong from last season, so it’s great to come through that and really give the fans something to shout about. We get really good support here at Glamorgan and even through the weather there are great crowds.

“Hopefully we can put a smile on their faces this weekend.”

And could Ingram add to his impressive haul of sixes on Saturday?

The 31-year-old has hit two T20 centuries this season en route to a run tally of 451 in 12 innings, higher than any other Glamorgan player.

“It would be nice and it’s something that’s been a bit of a joke in the dressing room with the boys,” added Ingram.

“But for me it’s about playing well. If I play well, the sixes come and it’s not something I particularly focus on.

“If I can spend some time in the middle and face enough balls I know those sixes will come and get us in a good position in the game.”

And Ingram added: “I think after winning the quarter-final at home last week just seeing the smiles on people’s faces and the levels of joy among out team and then the fans as well, there’s a good buzz around cricket in Wales.

“The guys will be having a full crack at it and I’m sure we have a great chance.”