Interview: Warriors skipper Colin Ingram on Ram Slam T20, IPL and building a young side

Colin Ingram made a fantastic debut for South Africa, but hasn’t had a consistent stay in international cricket

One of the best talents to emerge from the province of Eastern Cape in South Africa, Colin Ingram made a remarkable debut in 2010 against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein.

He didn’t make a mark in his international debut in T20 series against Zimbabwe, but grabbed the spotlight in the following ODI series.

The southpaw became the first South African cricketer (6th overall) in ODI history to notch up a hundred on debut, striking 124 off 126 deliveries, including 8 fours and 2 sixes.

Despite beginning as an opener earlier in his career, Ingram garnered much of his success in the middle order. And when South Africa called upon him to open the batting, it was an unsure appointment which didn't bear great results. His last international appearance came in November 2013 against Pakistan.

Looking to make a comeback to the national team, Ingram has continued to score big runs in domestic cricket. He was the 3rd highest run-scorer in the domestic ODI tournament last season, averaging 65.83 in 7 matches. Even this year he has scoring 272 runs in 5 matches in the Momentu ODI Cup, at an average of 54.40 and strike rate of 96.11.

This year, he’s taken up a new role, that of the skipper of the Warriors. Having remained close to his roots, he took the role from Davy Jacobs. His side hasn’t had a great start. In the 10 matches across different formats, Warriors won 1 and lost 9 before tonight, when his match-winning 64* led his team to its first win in Ram Slam T20 this year.

Colin talked to Sportskeeda before the match. Here’re the excerpts:

Colin, this is a new season for Warriors under a new leadership. So far, the results haven't been great across formats (Sunfoil series, Momentum Cup, Ram Slam T20). What are your thoughts about the side's progress so far?

It's a great challenge for us. The quality of the opposition has been tough. We haven't got the results, but I've been really proud of my boys the way they've been backing themselves and playing very hard. We’re ticking the right boxes, and hoping for a change in the momentum.

After 3 consecutive losses in Ram Slam (all conceding bonus point), where do you think has the side gone wrong? And where can they improve from here?

It's been a tough start to the competition. Craig [Kieswetter] has played really well, and we need to start building some partnerships around him and contribute a lot better. I think our bowling hasn't been up to scratch so far. We've bowled poorly and have gone for plenty of runs which has put the batting under pressure.

We just have to mentally get away from these losses and regroup and come back stronger. A lot of guys have done well in the last couple of innings so it's all about putting it together now.

The South African domestic season is divided in separate blocs of different formats, which can be at times difficult for both the viewers and the players. How do you cope with it?

Yeah obviously, there's a bloc kind of format with different phases of different formats. But there are many things that help you prepare for the format which you're going to be playing.

Even before the T20s, we had a week off when we played a whole lot of practice matches, adjusting to the format.

And what's your preferred format?

For me, I've been playing a lot of 50-over cricket. It's probably my favourite format. I really like to build the innings and spend some time out there, but also like playing some exciting cricket, so that's my favourite format at the moment.

FILE PHOTO: Ingram is currently leading the Warriors in Ram Slam T20

You have a first-hand experience of having witnessed India's love for the T20 format. Now via Sony Six, Ram Slam is reaching the Indian audience too. With that window now open, how exciting is it for players who may look to bag a lucrative deal in IPL?

Yeah obviously, it's fantastic for the players that there's an Indian audience for the matches. IPL is the biggest T20 competition in the world. It's fantastic for the players to know that when they put performances on the board, play an exciting knock or bowl a great spell, it's being seen by a massive audience and they stand a good chance of getting into the IPL.

Obviously, all the players think about that as well.

You've played in IPL (in 2011). What are your views about the format of Ram Slam T20? Which one do you prefer?

Well, I think in any competition if you perform well throughout the tournament and take the top spot, you deserve to be in the final. If you've played well for weeks or months, and ended up on top, you definitely deserve to be in the final.

Warriors is a side that doesn't boast of many big stars in its squad, much like Dolphins, and is instead focussing on making more home grown talents. How do you see your progress so far?

It's a quality tournament at the moment with only two teams with really strong players. It's true that we don't have a lot of international experience in our team at the moment, but I think it's a great opportunity for the young guys to get up their game.

Like I said, the next couple of weeks they'll be really trying to turn it around. 3 losses up front is not ideal, but it's great to see the young guys respond and really take up the responsibility. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, a couple of them put their hands up and make a name for themselves.

Any future stars from the Warriors side who can make a mark internationally?

Yeah, David White is a really good upcoming batsman in the longer format. He's playing really well. He's just come back from a broken finger so hopefully you'll see him in the upcoming weeks in the T20 side.

Then we've got Simon Harmer, the off-spinner, who has done well in domestic cricket over couple of years. He’s a young guy, 25 years old, so I think he's got a big career ahead of him.

Then there's Colin Ackerman who's got tremendous potential and you'll see him out there in the middle in the next couple of weeks.

Personally, you've made a great start in the Momentum ODI Cup, but not the Ram Slam T20. What's your aim for this tournament?

The Momentup Cup has been great for me, and I’ve spent a lot of time in the middle. Got two ducks in the last two games, so it's been a bit unfortunate. Got a good ball in Durban and then was stumped in the next match.

I've done well in T20 in the past and it's just about expression of self and putting the best foot forward. I'd like to lead from the front. If you're asking the team to do the hard work, in the next couple of weeks, I need to step up as well.

There's an opinion that this South African side is quite settled, but Graeme Smith recently said that there's still chance for some late addition to the squad. How do you see your chances for the World Cup?

Every player thinks about the World Cup. It's obviously a big event for any player and if you can get into the mix, it's wonderful. For me, it's about putting my best foot forward with the Warriors, and putting performances on the board. If I can make it to the side doing that, I'll be extremely happy.