"T20 is my version of international cricket and that's how I take it" : Colin Ingram

[Abdullah719]

In an interview with Saj for Sky Sports, the South African batsman discussed South Africa's recent Test series loss to Sri Lanka, the 2019 World Cup and the experience of working with Karachi Kings' Head Coach Mickey Arthur.

Colin Ingram admits a small part of him would love to represent South Africa in this summer's World Cup but says he has no regrets about giving up international cricket.

Ingram last played for the Proteas in 2013 before joining Glamorgan as a Kolpak player in 2014, a move which has allowed him to ply his trade in the top T20 leagues in the world.

The 33-year-old scored 127 not out off 59 balls to spur Karachi Kings to a six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League last week - an innings described by Gladiators' captain Sarfraz Ahmed as the best T20 innings he had ever seen.

That knock came shortly after compatriot Duanne Olivier decided to quit international cricket to join Yorkshire on a Kolpak deal ahead of the 2019 season - a path Ingram, who led Adelaide Strikers in the BBL and has been signed by Delhi Capitals for this year's IPL, knows only too well.

"There is a small part of me that would have loved to represent my country in the World Cup," he said. "As a kid, you grow up dreaming about such an opportunity, but I am also realistic as playing in T20 leagues provides for my family.

"It also presents newer and testing challenges for me and is a great opportunity to mix with other people and travel the world. I think I have moved on and I don't have any regrets.

"I try and come into these T20 competitions and do the best I can and for me, this is my version of international cricket and that's the way I take it."

After whitewashing Pakistan in the recent three-match Test series, the much-fancied South African side were expected to steamroll Sri Lanka but what transpired over the two-match series was nothing short of a huge surprise, with the visitors winning the series 2-0.

Ingram, like many other South Africa followers, was stunned by the defeat and feels that it could have been due to the undue focus on the upcoming World Cup in England.

"The Test series loss to Sri Lanka was most definitely a shock to me," he said. "We've always played really well at home and pride ourselves on that and it was disappointing to be beaten by a Sri Lankan side which currently has players that many people don't know too much about.

"I suppose the Sri Lankans came in a little wounded from their tour of Australia where they were thrashed 2-0 by the hosts so they seemed to have really taken us on in South Africa. Obviously, it's a bit disappointing to lose a home series and it also happens to be the first one we have lost to a subcontinental side.

"From a South Africa point of view, it could be the case that all eyes are on preparations for the World Cup in the summer and so they lost focus on Tests which is a pity, but I am sure they will bounce back soon."

South Africa's defeat of Pakistan in the ODI series where they were winners by a 3-2 margin seems to indicate that the Proteas are in good shape for the World Cup. To Ingram, the Proteas' good form and the talent available makes them strong contenders for the title, with a lack of expectation working in their favour.

"I think South Africa have probably one of the better chances of winning the World Cup, simply because there will be less pressure on them compared to the other more fancied sides. This should allow South Africa to play more freely for one of the first times in a while. They have some dangerous players and some guys who are doing well consistently, as well as guys who will be hungry to do well."

With the experience of playing in the PSL alongside some very talented and skilled Pakistan players, Ingram has a pretty good idea of how well Pakistan could do in the upcoming World Cup and feels that their penchant for doing well in English conditions could hold them in good stead.

"Pakistan as a group have toured England really well in the past and they are currently in reasonable white-ball form as a team," reflected Ingram.

"Having worked with Mickey Arthur as he is the head coach for my PSL side Karachi Kings, I have an idea of how Pakistan work as a team. I feel that they have a wonderful bowling attack, and some exciting batters and their performances have been good in the last 18 months. They are a dangerous side and always seem to play well in England and should do well in the World Cup."

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/ne...tional-cricket

[Rana]

Very honest remarks by him. Wish him the best in his choices of life.

[Zeeraq]

An interesting perspective regarding taking T20s as international cricket.

[MenInG]

One of the best choices that KK have made is to take him on! Wonderful cricketer and also a brilliant personality to go with that.

[MenInG]

Colin Ingram pictured in Karachi today

[MenInG]

Colin Ingram speaking at the press conference at NSK

“Walking outside to the ground it was exciting to see the ground we will be playing in and I really enjoyed what I did see in terms of conditions and it looked a lot like South Africa, it looked like a great venue and a great wicket, and I am just looking forward to getting out there [to play]”

“One of the challenges of coming into the PSL definitely for me is then when you wake up in the morning, I know that I have to be sharp and be on your game because the bowling attacks here are one of the strongest in the world and a few of the other guys have said that also”

“We have some really skllfull seamers around, a lot of left-arm seamers which is difficult from other leagues, and every team has one or 2 good spinners as well”

“On these conditions, the batting is really tough and a great challenge to come and play in the PSL”

"That's a tough question and I come from a country, South Africa, where politics has infiltrated sports so its always quite tricky"

"One of the things that I really like about sport, especially coming from South Africa is that sport has united our nation and sport unites the world"

"I do know that we have seen the joy of international players coming to play in this league and that's what I am focussed on at the moment"

"We have seen the excitement in Karachi about bringing cricket back here and so far as that incident is concerned, they had their feelings and I will respect whatever they have done but my focus is to be here and be focussed on making the PSL successful"

"Security has always been an issue around the world these days, but we have been welcomed by everyone and probably looked after by too many people"

"I've felt very relaxed being here and mainly just looking forward to playing the cricket"

"The passion for cricket is obviously immense in Pakistan; I certainly enjoy in the team environment when we are going well how excited the guys get about cricket"

"In terms of Pakistan as a nation, you can feel that pride and it doesnt matter where you are, I have been to Lord's when Pakistan are playing and there is singing and passion for the game so its definitely a uniting force in a spirited nation"

"I appreciate that a lot coming from a nation like South Africa where sports does similar things and breaks down barriers"

"Just in terms of people I have met they are humble people and we will have friendships that last a lifetime"

[Zeeraq]

Massive hitter - maybe another special inning being played by him for Karachi Kings in PSL.

[Officer Barbrady]

Impressive cricketer. Glad he’s part of PSL

[MenInG]

MILESTONE// With his first six on Friday (an absolute monster) @CAIngram41 reached his 2,000th run in @VitalityBlast cricket for Glamorgan ��

It took him 65 games, with an average of over 38, three centuries and 13 half-centuries and 116 sixes ��

Congrats Colin! #GoGlam �� pic.twitter.com/oNgNEr3loA

— Glamorgan Cricket �� (@GlamCricket) September 4, 2019

[sweep_shot]

I think it is sensible for him to focus on T20 only because he is unlikely to get any Test call up or ODI call up. His batting style suits T20.

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think it is sensible for him to focus on T20 only because he is unlikely to get any Test call up or ODI call up. His batting style suits T20.

He's a Kolpak player. He gave up the chance to be an international cricketer willingly.