Superb Glamorgan power to victory over Kent

Playing in their first home encounter of the tournament, another unbroken century partnership between Ingram and Chris Cooke saw Glamorgan home once again in a bumper packed sun-drenched Sophia Gardens.

Following on from their record-breaking exploits against Middlesex on Wednesday night, Glamorgan produced another solid batting performance to chase down Kent’s 190 and make it three wins from four in the competition after putting the visitors to bat.

Tawanda Muyeye got the South-East County off to a flyer with a combative 62 off 38 balls, with early support from fellow opener Daniel Bell-Drummond (19). The loss of his partner to the excellent Peter Hatzoglou (2-25), enjoying another strong showing and an excellent bowling spell in the middle overs by the home attack proved decisive as Kent despite a late rally looked to be 20/30 runs short on a Cardiff wicket showing zip.

Eddie Byrom led the Glamorgan reply with an aggressive 43 for 19 balls to lay the platform for the home side before holing out to Grant Stewart who had been subject to much of the punishment. Stewart grabbed his second wicket, whilst former Dragon Michael Hogan then removed Sam Northeast as the visitors sniffed a way into the match. 

Leading from the front, Ingram this time took the lead, spreading the field with a series of well-executed shots disposing 10 fours to the boundary roared on by the Cardiff crowd in a match, winning 63 off 32 balls. 

Supported by Cooke (46*), the South African’s placement would be subline finding a series of gaps in the Kent field to eat into the required run rate. In full flow, the on-form twosome once more clicked into a rhythm to produce a similar result calving off their target with 18 balls remaining to make it three wins in four for Glamorgan. A winning habit Ingram feels is coming along nicely.

“There’s a good feeling. Everyone felt that coming into the game. There’s nothing like winning to breed that,” said Ingram.

“It was great to kick on again, especially this evening with it being our first home game, an awesome crowd being in and with the sun shining. To get a win like that was fantastic.

“We both hit the ball so well in the last game, so we wanted to just invest in a few balls to get back in again. At some point, we could both feel the juices again and it just flowed nicely. 

“It was a really good wicket. I always knew we could get it [190 target], but I haven’t chased many totals like that on this ground in eight years.

“It was daunting, but I thought the way Eddie Byrom played up front just shrunk their total quickly and made the rest of our jobs a bit easier.

“There was a little extra grass on the wicket, and it skidded through nicely, so a fantastic job by the groundsman, I felt it was immaculate. To play on a carpet like that made it such a great occasion.

“There are a lot of smiles around the dressing room at the moment and a really good vibe. Hopefully, we can keep that going.”

(Lead image: Glamorgan CC)