Ex-England Batter Gary Ballance All Set To Represent Zimbabwe In International Cricket After Yorkshire Exit
Published - 09 Dec 2022, 05:48 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
The 33-year-old middle-order batter Gary Ballance, who represented England National Cricket Team in international cricket between 2013-2017, is all set to play for Zimbabwe National Cricket Team.
The Harare-born cricketer played 23 Tests and 16 ODIs for England, scoring 1498 and 297 runs respectively. He last played Test cricket for England in 2017 against South Africa in Nottingham and his last ODI in England shirt came in 2015 against Sri Lanka in Wellington.
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Gary Ballance has signed a two-year contract to play for Zimbabwe after his Yorkshire exit. Notably, he had a contract at Yorkshire County Cricket Club until 2024, but asked to be released from the contract.
In an official statement issued by Zimbabwe Cricket, Gary Ballance said that he is absolutely thrilled to play for the Chevrons.
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“I’m thrilled to be joining Zimbabwe Cricket and can’t wait to start work with some great coaches and talented players,” said Ballance.
“The opportunity to represent Zimbabwe has given me a new-found passion and excitement for the game.
“I have kept in touch with a number of people within Zimbabwe cricket over the years and it has been great to watch their recent progress especially.”
We are elated to have Gary Ballance – Hamilton Masakadza
Zimbabwe Cricket’s Director of Cricket Hamilton Masakadza said that they are elated to have an immensely talented and experienced cricketer like Gary Ballance in the team.
“We are elated to have Gary, an immensely talented and experienced cricketer, back home where it all started for him.
“He is a great addition to our domestic and international set-up and we are looking forward to him making a massive difference for us,” Zimbabwe Cricket’s Director of Cricket Hamilton Masakadza said in an official media release.
Gary Ballance’s exit from Yorkshire comes amid “challenges he has faced to his mental health”. He was recently at the centre of the Azeem Rafiq racism row.
“On a personal level, I have gone through a challenging period – and after much discussion, I decided, together with my family, that it would be right to make a change,” said Ballance in an official statement issued by the board.
“I asked the club if it was willing to release me from my contract, and I am grateful for its understanding as we have reached an agreement.
“The support Yorkshire has given me off the pitch over the past year has been fantastic and I am appreciative of the club’s help, but I hope that my decision will mean that my career can have a fresh start.”
