Colin Ingram Praises Zain Ul Hassan As Glamorgan Pair Keep Promotion Dream Alive

By Paul Jones

Colin Ingram paid tribute to young opener Zain Ul Hassan after Ingram’s century put promotion-chasing Glamorgan in the driving seat of their clash with Derbyshire.

Ingram notched his first century of the season and stood firm with a record second-wicket stand of 193 from 338 balls with Ul Hassan, who himself made a career-best 69 before being caught and bowled by George Scrimshaw.

After Ingram was bowled for 136 from 200 balls, Kiran Carlson and Billy Root hit half-centuries and shared a run-a-ball fifth-wicket stand of 107 as the visitors closed on 408 for six.

“Coming out this morning, the wicket looked like it had a good amount of grass on it, but the way the day unfolded, we’ve come away feeling really happy this evening,” said Ingram.

“There were a few balls that had your name on, I was fortunate enough to play and miss a few, so we tried to stay positive and Zain played brilliantly up front,” said Ingram.

“He chewed up a lot of balls and left well, so our partnership dragged us into a position where we could play more positively.

“I tasted some good success and found some things that really worked last season (in red ball cricket), so it’s satisfying to come back and put those into play again.

“I really did enjoy my time in the middle today and to get three figures was really satisfying.”

🏏CRICKET REACTION❗️

Glamorgan made 408-6 on the first day of their Championship match away to Derbyshire
Colin Ingram made 136 and Zain Ul Hassan a career-best 69, while Kiran Carlson & Billy Root also made fifties
Ingram gave @BBCSportWales his verdict #BBCCricket pic.twitter.com/gTcCi3LBBF

— Nick Webb (@nickwebb2017) July 25, 2023

Zak Chappell claimed 2 for 70 but Derbyshire bowled poorly which allowed Glamorgan to plunder 61 fours and three sixes on a chastening day for the home side.

Green pitches at Derby often prove to be deceptive but if there was anything in it for the bowlers, Derbyshire’s attack did not exploit it.

Apart from Chappell and Anuj Dal, the seamers failed to put the ball consistently in the right place which allowed Glamorgan to get away.

Derbyshire bowler Chappell said: “We asked for more grass on the wicket and they gave it to us, but we didn’t bowl as well as we could have, we didn’t field as well as we should have done, and we didn’t take catches at crucial times.

🏏CRICKET UPDATE❗️

Championship Day 1️⃣, Derby #BBCCricket

Glamorgan 107-1 🆚 Derbyshire

Colin Ingram 51*, Zain Ul Hassan 31*

Live 13:40 BST 🎙👉🏽 https://t.co/cd1689ldkB pic.twitter.com/K4gLj5ohbI

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) July 25, 2023

“They almost let us back in before the second new ball but we didn’t have a brilliant last 30 minutes so we’re under the cosh again.

“When you see a Derby wicket that’s green you bowl, but there’s no excuse for it, we didn’t take our chances.

“In four-day cricket, there’s always a way back in. If we take a couple of quick wickets and then we bat well.”

🏏CRICKET UPDATE❗️

Championship day 1️⃣, Derby #BBCCricket

Glamorgan 231-2 🆚 Derbyshire
Colin Ingram 114*, Zain Ul Hassan 69 (career-best)

Live 16:15 BST 🎙👉🏽 https://t.co/cd1689ldkB pic.twitter.com/BXkuqyGco2

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) July 25, 2023