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 in their opening game of the Royal London One-Day Cup on Friday.
“I have been captaining sides since I was a nine year old in South Africa,” says Ingram, “then leading the Warriors franchise team for five years. 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 during our training session on Wednesday.”
Ingram, who also occasionally led the Adelaide Strikers in the Australian Big Bash last winter - where they ended up winning the competition - 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 few matches, 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 their home game on Friday, the squad will travel to Taunton for their second game 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 play-offs.
Article written by Ed Bevan for the ECB Independent Reporter Network