'I'd love to have been Brian Lara'
South African batsman Colin Ingram on his international career, fishing as a sport, and why he's called Mop and Bozie
Interview by Jack Wilson
08-May-2015
"I needed to score more heavily but I really enjoyed it. International cricket was absolutely awesome" • Getty Images
What is the best innings you have ever played?
I hit 136 in my first senior school game. We were chasing 200-odd and we got them in about 25 overs. I'd told the coach I was going to do it too. It's always nice when you do that and it comes off. I don't think I've ever played better than that since.
I hit 136 in my first senior school game. We were chasing 200-odd and we got them in about 25 overs. I'd told the coach I was going to do it too. It's always nice when you do that and it comes off. I don't think I've ever played better than that since.
How do you look at your South Africa career?
I started off really well and scored a few hundreds but I lacked consistency. I needed to score more heavily but I really enjoyed it. International cricket was absolutely awesome.
I started off really well and scored a few hundreds but I lacked consistency. I needed to score more heavily but I really enjoyed it. International cricket was absolutely awesome.
You have bowled six balls in your ODI career and went for 17 runs. What happened?
We were playing Pakistan. Misbah-ul-Haq was on strike and I tossed one of my leggies up and he clubbed it for six. I turned round and said, "Let's see if you can do it again" - and he did.
We were playing Pakistan. Misbah-ul-Haq was on strike and I tossed one of my leggies up and he clubbed it for six. I turned round and said, "Let's see if you can do it again" - and he did.
Might have been best not to say that, then?
I don't regret it! As a leggie you know sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn't.
I don't regret it! As a leggie you know sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn't.
Which cricketer would you like to be from the past?
I'd love to have been Brian Lara. He spent so much time at the crease and scored so many runs.
I'd love to have been Brian Lara. He spent so much time at the crease and scored so many runs.
What is the one thing in your cricket career that you regret?
Not getting a double-hundred - yet.
Not getting a double-hundred - yet.
What was the best thing about playing in the IPL?
It was great to mix with a totally different culture. You are out there for a couple of months and get to see people from backgrounds so different to yours. It was an incredible experience.
It was great to mix with a totally different culture. You are out there for a couple of months and get to see people from backgrounds so different to yours. It was an incredible experience.
If you could be a professional at any other sport, what would it be?
That's easy, fishing. It's a great sport.
That's easy, fishing. It's a great sport.
What has been the worst sledge directed at you?
Dillon du Preez once commented on my hair and said it looked like a mop because it hadn't been cut for a while. He still calls me Mop now.
Dillon du Preez once commented on my hair and said it looked like a mop because it hadn't been cut for a while. He still calls me Mop now.
Tell us something we don't know about you.
I have a Black Angus cattle stud called Ingram Angus.
I have a Black Angus cattle stud called Ingram Angus.
What do you do in a rain break?
Look for conversation with someone who is light-hearted and up for banter.
Look for conversation with someone who is light-hearted and up for banter.
Your nickname is Bozie - why?
It's from when I was a kid. I had a walking ring and I used to ram into everything. Bozie comes from bulldozer. My nan said I used to bulldoze around. She worked at my school and kindly passed it on to all my friends.
It's from when I was a kid. I had a walking ring and I used to ram into everything. Bozie comes from bulldozer. My nan said I used to bulldoze around. She worked at my school and kindly passed it on to all my friends.
What's the funniest prank you've seen in a dressing room?
A team-mate once put a hamburger patty into someone's pad. It ended up staying there for three weeks before he told him. The smell was horrific.
A team-mate once put a hamburger patty into someone's pad. It ended up staying there for three weeks before he told him. The smell was horrific.
Which of your team-mates - past or present - has the worst dress sense?
Justin Kreusch is the worst. A lot of us Warriors lads were in our twenties, he was in his thirties, and he dressed like he was in his fifties.
Justin Kreusch is the worst. A lot of us Warriors lads were in our twenties, he was in his thirties, and he dressed like he was in his fifties.
Who has the worst taste in music?
Basheer Walters at the Warriors. He listens to one-tone music which goes on for about eight minutes. Awful.
Basheer Walters at the Warriors. He listens to one-tone music which goes on for about eight minutes. Awful.
And who has the most natural talent?
Graham Wagg seems to be able to do anything. AB de Villiers is a freak too. He can do any sport he wants well - even darts.
Graham Wagg seems to be able to do anything. AB de Villiers is a freak too. He can do any sport he wants well - even darts.