Colin Ingram is back. The big-hitting left-hander has returned to Glamorgan after a year’s absence to reprise his role as one of the club’s overseas players for the Vitality Blast.
After missing out on plenty of cricket during the past year and a half due to the pandemic, the 35-year-old is excited to get going again for the Welsh county during a packed T20 schedule.
“It was great coming down the road, over the bridge and back into Wales again,” said Ingram.
“From when I left here last in 2019, I haven’t played as much cricket as I would have liked, but just to be back and have the Blast in full force is going to be great.
“I looked at the calendar a couple of days ago and just jotted down the games. It’s going to come thick and fast and I’m thoroughly looking forward to that.
“I’ve spent a lot of time away from a group and I’m really excited to get back in amongst it again. I think when you’re hungry and fresh, it normally brings the best out of my game. I’m just looking forward to getting out on the park and hopefully putting in some big plays.”
Ingram will join forces with Australian superstar Marnus Labuschagne as Glamorgan’s overseas players for the competition, with the South African hoping they can spur each other on throughout the campaign.
“Marnus has had a really exciting 18 months, probably sparked by the 2019 season he had here. It’s been great to spend more time in the dressing room with him.
“I hear he’s a bit of a handful around and he causes a few laughs and a few pranks, but to rub shoulders with him will be very enjoyable.
“He’s been highly successful over the last 18 months and hopefully, I can learn a bit from him and he can learn a bit from me and we can keep marching forward.”
Despite being away from the Glamorgan dressing room for a couple of seasons, Ingram has kept in close contact with his teammates and is enjoying the ‘familiar feeling’ of being back at the club he has called a second home.
“Not a lot has changed in terms of feel, which is a good thing. Glamorgan over certainly my time here has had a really good thing going, especially off the field.
“On the field, we’re always looking to improve and put in better performances. That familiar feeling of coming back here has been great.
“I think there has been a few tweaks just from tapping into a few Zoom meetings and a few chats with guys, there’s been a few tweaks and changes amongst the group which seem really positive. All in all, I think it bodes well moving forward.
Glamorgan last reached a quarter-final in the Vitality Blast in 2017, but with the talent in the squad and a fearless mindset, Ingram believes it is the minimum goal for the side heading into the competition.
“I think over many years, the quarter-finals is always the goal coming into a season. We’ve got an exciting white-ball brand here at Glamorgan so for me that’s got to be the goal.
“If we do the small things right early doors and play fearless as we have in the past couple of seasons, I don’t see why, with the squad and the team we have now, why we shouldn’t be really competitive.”