On the wall of his Port Elizabeth garage, Colin Ingram once scrawled one simple ambition: score a t20 century, writes Ross Lawson
For the South African, that message was always less a mindless scribble, more an achievable goal – a motivation for an extra rep or kilogram of weight when putting in the hard yards.
“I’m going to have to go home and change it now,” he jokes. “I need to think of something else to put up there!
“It was a place for me to keep training when I couldn’t get to the gym, quite important for me, and a bit of a driving point.”
In truth, Ingram could have wiped that message off the wall with his maiden ton exactly 12 months ago.
But the emphatic nature of two further centuries in recent weeks means a whole lot more satisfaction can be felt when he next returns home.
Blasting 107 against Essex last year didn’t satiate the Glamorgan batsman. Neither did a first t20 century this season – an unbeaten 101 from 47 balls – against Sussex at Arundel.
But what was to come last weekend – 114 in a successful chase of 220 at Chelmsford – was nothing short of genius. And just seven days after his Sussex heroics, it was no fluke either.
“Since last year I’ve put a lot more emphasis, more focus into my t20 cricket,” he explained.
“I came back this year knowing how much of a challenge it would be because of the runs last year, but the challenge mostly came from myself to come out and do it again.
“I’ve started the season really well, but I still want to dig deep now and make it a memorable one. I spend a lot of time in the indoor nets and I’ve got a certain routine, something that’s been working for me and that I want to stick to.
“It’s about practising the shots I need under pressure – it’s been great to submerge myself in the format and take on the challenge.”
Inevitably with runs under his belt, the call for an international return has loudened for a man whose most recent ODI was in 2013, the last of his 40 South Africa appearances.
Robert Croft has even gone as far to say that Ingram is one of the best one-day players to ever feature for the Welsh county – high praise considering the likes of Javed Miandad, Viv Richards, Waqar Younis, Jacques Kallis and Michael Kasprowicz have all turned out for Glamorgan.
But the man himself will not lose focus, despite such plaudits.
“For me it’s just about getting on with the job,” added Ingram. “It’s nice for Crofty to say those things.
“I struggled with that enjoyment in the early part of my career, and it’s something I’ve taken on a lot more. Just being able to go out there with a clear head is very important to me.
“Hopefully I can get to tournaments like the Big Bash, the IPL, and the new competition that is coming to South Africa – it’s an exciting time and one I’m thrilled to be a part of.”
Discover how SSE customers can enjoy exclusive benefits in sport and entertainment across the UK, with SSE Reward. Reward yourself by visiting ssereward.com.
Ingram interview
“You never think you can do anything like that. Up until a couple of years ago I used to write little notes on the wall, one of those aims was to get a t20 hundred so to get two in the space of a couple of days is pretty unbelievable.
“I’m going to have to go home and change it now,” he jests. “I’ve always thought it would be great to get one,
“It’s a place for me to keep training when I can’t get to the gym, quite important for me, and always a bit of a driving point.”
“I was so hot, breathing heavily and I was just trying to swing as hard as possible and ended up being really shocked when it actually arrived.
“I enjoyed the second one more, hit a few more boundaries and it wasn’t so hot – it’s a wonderful feeling to be out there and doing that, and you never think something like this is possible.
“Over the past few years we at Glamorgan are very excited when there is a chase, guys bring their best skills out and we’ve been a part of a couple of wonderful chases over the past couple of years.
“That one (against Essex) is right up there. At the halfway stage we weren’t panicking, we just stuck in and got in with it.
“It’s very nice for Crofty to say I’m one of the best one-day players in Glamorgan’s history, but for me it’s just about getting on with the job.
“Whatever team I play with I just want to be on the winning side, I’m quite competitive and if I can put in another performance that gets us close to winning another game that would be great.
“Since last year I’ve put a lot more emphasis, more focus into my t20 cricket.
“I’ve been training smarter, but before becoming to the UK it wasn’t a massive part of my game.
“I came back this year knowing how much of a challenge it would be because of the runs last year, but the challenge mostly came from myself to come out and do it again.
“I’ve started the season really well, but I still want to dig deep now and make it a memorable one.
“The guys give me a lot of trouble! I spend a lot of time in the indoor nets when they’re outdoors, and I’ve got a certain routine, something that’s been working for me and that I want to stick to.
“It’s about practising the shots I need under pressure – it’s been great to submerge myself in the format and take on the challenge, so on the mental side I’ve really enjoyed it and that helps with performances.
“I struggled with that enjoyment in the early parts of my career, and it’s something I’ve taken on a lot more.
“Just being able to go out there with a clear head is very important to me.
“I’ve enjoyed the journey of cricket, the life and career it has given me, but for now I’m focused day-by-day, getting the runs I can and maybe a few wickets too, that’s all I’m really thinking about.
“I’ve had more focus on the format and I’d like to look at the global stage of t20 cricket. A big competition likes the Blast really creates opportunities to play with people all around the world, and with other coaches too.
“It’s definitely been a good platform for me and hopefully I can get to tournaments like the Big Bash, and the new competition that is coming to South Africa as well, it’s an exciting time and one I’m thrilled to be a part of.