Ingram's Classy Longevity Keeps Yorkshire at Bay

Glamorgan came out for day 2 on 99/4 after an action packed, weather disturbed start at Sophia Gardens on day 1. The visitors had taken three excellent catches on the opening day and the likes of Jack White and Ben Coad had made good use of the new ball and favourable seam conditions offered.

Colin Ingram and Ben Kellaway resumed on day 2 having mounted an important fight back towards the back end of the day, putting on 71 as a pair. This was a pair that had batted well together last season. Buoyed on by the Welsh national anthem being played at the hockey pitch behind, they managed to add another thirty, before Kellaway was bowled by spinner Dom Bess. Kellaway had managed to score his maiden half century as a Division One batter, finishing on 52.

That dismissal brought fellow South African, Chris Cooke to the crease who was diligent with Ingram to put on another 67. He was bowled by a slower ball from Matthew Revis for 30. Ingram had been marching towards his 30th hundred for the club and reached his milestone, becoming the first Glamorgan Division One centurion since Alex Wharf in 2005. He was caught behind off the very next ball however from the bowling of Ben Coad.

Ingram’s century was a shining example of his class, experience and versatility as a middle order batter. Having had wickets tumble early around him, he brought an air of calmness and solidity early in his innings. He and Kellaway bedded in nicely and waited for the ball to soften and the pitch to flatten up, punishing the few mistakes the Yorkshire bowlers gave him to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

With many younger and lesser experienced players in the side and the added hype of potential England selection looming in the air for some, it was a day for veterans like Ingram to stand up and guide the side through the period of adjustment. He did just that, guiding the young Kellaway who himself did not appear overawed by the occasion to a very important 101 partnership.

After the loss of Ingram, it was important to dig in once again for the Glamorgan batters to avoid being finished off cheaply and return a below par score in the first innings. Timm van der Gugten and Mason Crane put up a stubborn resistance with Crane ending his innings with a half century.

Yorkshire’s spectacular catching continued on day 2 as Andy Gorvin was caught by a sparkling one-handed dive near the boundary from Logan van Beek. Glamorgan all out late into the evening session, they would have seventeen overs to try and pick up some early scalps. Unfortunately, bad light meant Glamorgan could only bowl ten balls at the Yorkshire openers.

A steady paced yet important day’s play from Glamorgan on day 2. Tomorrow, Glamorgan fans will see more of debutant Ryan Hadley, who was limited to just four deliveries before the players were taken off. Timm van der Gugten will also be looking to strike early and pick up his first wicket of the season.