Since 2003, the former player now coach has been leading teams to successful finals from kwik cricket tournaments to league champions. The authoritative AfricaNews had an exclusive interview which delves into the life and aspiration of the cricket expert.

When did it all start for you?

Ingram Jones: My dad used to take me to the park to play this game called “Cricket”. It was one day in the park he was bowling at me and the ball hit a piece of stone and hit my lip. I saw blood on the floor. Dad looked at me, turned and walked back to his mark to bowl again. He said ‘This is a ball and you are in the way of something I need to hit and you are stopping me. You have a bat use it to attack and defend yourself.’ The next ball through the tears I hit for 4 runs. This is when I fell in love with the game.

What qualifications do you have in this area

I had to sit through various exams which included a few practicals in front of an assessor. I had to convince them that I was ready to coach others. I remember having to coach a group of kids that I had never met before and thinking to myself “I hope that they are a good bunch and don’t misbehave”. It motivated me to push even harder to ensure the session was enjoyable for not only the young people and the assessor. He turned to me in the end and said “Don’t be afraid to express that which is within,” I guess his words are with me almost 5 years on.

As a cricket development officer with 10 years of experience what are some of your achievements?

Having brought success to every team I have coached from school teams right through to traveling over to Australia and securing two titles as a coach in Melbourne for a local adult squad, I understood my role was not just about coaching. Far more was being set up behind the scenes. Player recruitment, squad selections, meetings with local authorities, designing five-year plans, club workshops, running training nights, the list is endless. But it’s the groundwork, foundational stuff which has been the secret to my success. The fact that I have decided to pull away from being a player and focused on being a coach has been a sacrifice but the rewards are most satisfying. Of course, it’s not always about the success of players, but providing the opportunities for people to play cricket is the most important thing for me to promote the game, in a dynamic, fun and exciting way.

What have you seen in Ghana cricket and why have you express interest in the country?

Africa has always been a place that I have always wanted to visit and wherever I choose to visit, I like to give something back to the community alike my visit to Australia back in 2008. It would be very difficult for me to come to Africa and not visit a township and take a bat and ball and want to show the kids how to play cricket. I understand that there is a lack of facilities and equipment in Ghana after reading recent articles. I was even more interested in the direction of Cricket in Ghana. If there was anything I could do to help promote the game, I would be more than open to help develop cricket at grassroots level.

What experience do you want to bring on board to compliment the effort of Ghana Cricket Association?

Being realistic first and foremost, I have been successful doing things because people have told me that it was impossible or there wasn’t much point. All of my cricketing experience was about believed in my own ability, thoughts and vision. I think if a group of people want to make something happen, it will. I have had much success in the U.K, Australia and when I go to the Caribbean I will continue to repeat the process so why not in Ghana?

What will be your short and long term plan for the Ghana?

I would look to establish cricket in the schools in Ghana because it is the young people we would need to encourage to be a part of the wonderful game. The teachers within the schools also could be educated in how to play the basic format of the game, once they grow in confidence; cricket will definitely be played more in schools. With regards to the adult game I would look to develop cricket coaches from the adults, providing coaching courses/experience for those in college and looking for work experience. Those unemployed and retired may also be interested in learning. I think the plans could be as expansive or limited as we make them out to be. The long term goal would be to become Ghana’s Head Coach, not bad eh?


You have a penchant of developing youth cricket; to what extent will you bring such experience if you are given the needed assistance by the Ghana Cricket Council?

Success is a big word, something people tend to struggle with. I have heard people come up to me and say cricket is just a game so they don’t need to put in 100% effort. This is adults talking to kids. However, I say this, if I told your kids whom weren’t interested in education, its only education don’t worry about it. I would be considered mad. It’s this kind of seriousness I take with my coaching development. Education and sport go hand in hand. Kids love success and when I speak with them they need to have a vision, a dream. I can give them that dream, because I am a living example that dreams can come true.

On 14 March, 2011, you sign a contract with Caribdirect; what will be your role?

The moment I knew I wanted to be a coach, I wanted to be recognized as one of the best in the world for the work that I did. As a kid I said if I didn’t play cricket in the West Indies, I would love to have coached it. I dedicated my life to get as much experience as possible and didn’t think it would come this soon. I have been given a free role to develop a program which I believe can replicate the same levels of success in the Caribbean which I have had in the UK. In some ways I feel that I can surpass those feats as I am much more experienced and now people have seen my track record of consistency and success, plus the young people which have gone on to represent at district and county level. The aim of caribdirect is for me to establish academies across the West Indies and it is my intention for this to become a reality.

Cricket is not well known in Africa as compared in the Western World hence what do you think can be done to improve upon the game in Africa?

One way would be for more of the international matches to be held in places such as Ghana which would encourage the government to invest in better facilities. Could you imagine a mini 20/20 tournament for kids to come and watch with some of the best players in the world on display, what an advertisement for the game.

In Dec. 2010, you were recognize nationally for your commitment and dedication to communities and will be featuring in a documentary in spring this year. Can you give me a bit of insight?

It was a national award to discover who had been doing well in their community. To be fair there were some amazing people whom had some fantastic stories. I was announced as a winner and from that I have done radio interviews and am due to be featured in a national documentary on March 28th. Through this I was approached by caribdirect and have been receiving lots of support worldwide from people on face book. It’s great to be acknowledged and I am most humbled, but there is much work to be done, so Ghana, let’s do the WORK.