Warriors batsman Colin Ingram believes the suspended Qualifier against the Knights brought about a stronger mindset the following day.
The Warriors were in a precarious position on Sunday, as they struggled to 88-3 off 28 overs before the pitch was declared unfit for play. Choosing to bat again in the replayed match on Monday, they improved drastically, already having 197 runs on the board by the time the third wicket fell.
The difference proved to be Ingram and Gihahn Cloete’s innings. They scored seven and 30 respectively in Sunday’s abandoned game, but Ingram responded with a Man of the Match performance on Monday, as his 83, as well as Cloete’s 60, steered the Eastern Cape-side to 249-7. The Knights were never really in it from there, falling 18 runs short.
‘I’m really chuffed, the team put in a massive performance,’ Ingram said. ‘I haven’t been contributing as much as I would have liked so it was great to stand up in a big game.
‘There’s a lot of guys like Gihahn Cloete and Colin Ackermann who have stepped up, and JJ Smuts has had a massive campaign.’
Ingram believed his failing on the difficult track on Sunday allowed him to take his chance the following day.
‘It was in really unfortunate circumstances what happened, to pitch up and not have a fit pitch. So I came back with a stronger mindset.’
Warriors skipper Smuts praised the complete performance. It’s given them a chance to win their first One Day Cup trophy in seven years, when they take on the Titans in the final at SuperSport Park on Friday.
‘The batting set it up beautifully and then all of our bowlers executed the plans brilliantly. We won a few key areas.
‘Titans are a good side, they’ve won a few trophies recently so it shows why they’re there. We’re just going to have to keep executing our plans on the day.’
Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images
