Ingram relishing the chance to take reins as Glamorgan skipper
COLIN Ingram is relishing the challenge of leading Glamorgan for the first time in white-ball cricket, as they prepare for the visit of Gloucestershire to Sophia Gardens Cardiff in their opening game of the Royal London One-Day Cup tomorrow (11am).
“I have been captaining sides since I was a nine-year-old in South Africa,” says Ingram. “It brings out the best in me, and I thrive on extra responsibility.”
Ingram has been the club’s outstanding performer in recent years, averaging 48 and 57 with the bat and taking 31 wickets with his effective leg spin.
“My focus this year will be to forge the happy spirit that prevails within the club and keep going forward as an unit,” he added.
“We will try and replicate what brought us success in last year’s T20 Blast, when we reached Finals Day for the first time since 2004.
“The 50-over format is my favourite. You have the opportunity to play yourself in, try and get established, and then accelerate towards the end of the innings.
“We started slowly last year, losing three of the first four games and that is something we need to avoid this weekend. We will discuss our tactics and prepare thoroughly.”
Ingram, who also occasionally led the Adelaide Strikers in the Australian Big Bash last winter – where they ended runners-up – believes the squad is well-balanced despite the absence of two batsmen for part of the competition.
Kiran Carlson, a student at Cardiff University, has first-year exams, and will miss the first five games, while Shaun Marsh will join Australia’s one-day squad for their series against England next month.
“They will be missed, but their absence will give others the opportunity to compete for places,” says Ingram. “Competition is always healthy, and with plenty of depth in batting and bowling, I am confident of a good run.”
Ingram also believes he will benefit from his new role at Glamorgan as a white-ball specialist.
“I have benefited from concentrating on one-day cricket,” he continued.
“After playing non-stop for the past couple of years, it has been good to have a five-week break, and arrive in Cardiff fully refreshed and eager to start again.
“I travelled with the squad to Leicester last week and had plenty of net sessions with our batting coach Matthew Maynard.”
Following the Gloucestershire game, the squad will travel to Taunton for their second match on Sunday. Each county plays eight fixtures – four at home and four away – in the group stage, with the top three from each group then qualifying for the playoffs.
Glamorgan’s campaign also features a home match in Swansea against Hampshire on Sunday, June 3, while next Wednesday’s home game against a Middlesex team including Eoin Morgan, and now captained by Steven Finn, will be a day-night fixture shown live on Sky Sports.