Ballance's Test cricket debut against West Indies

Ballance “thrilled” to rebuild career with Zimbabwe - ZimsportLive — Gary Ballance

Zim Now Writer

Gary Ballance, a former England international, is billed to make his Test cricket reappearance after being named in Zimbabwe's team to face the West Indies.

He signed a two-year deal to play for his native country, Zimbabwe, in December last year after Yorkshire released him following the discrimination scandal that overwhelmed the county.

Ballance has played in Zimbabwe ODIs and is now set for his Test debut.

"I'm thrilled to be joining Zimbabwe Cricket and can't wait to start work with some great coaches and talented players. 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,” he said.

Ballance explained how the move of signing a deal has breathed fresh life into his cricket career for domestic and international cricket.

The left-handed batter has already played for Zimbabwe in the one-day format and notched a half-century in an ODI defeat to Ireland last month. He is now ready to make his Test bow for Zimbabwe after being named in a 16-man squad for this month's two-match series against the West Indies.

The 33-year-old self-confessed using discriminatory language towards Azeem Rafiq following an independent examination that found his former co-player was a prey of "racial harassment and bullying" during his time at Yorkshire.

Ballance had not represented Yorkshire since September 2021, but with plenty of years left in his career, has returned to the country of his birth to revive his international career.

He was able to switch commitments under International Cricket rules as a player can change between two different full member nations after a three-year stand-down period.

Harare-born, Ballance will be led by Craig Ervine with regular Test skipper Sean Williams out with a fractured finger.

Sikandra Raza and Ryan Burl Zimbabwe’s all-rounders are also absent due to T20 franchise commitments. But, Ballance who averaged 37.45 for England, will relish the outlook of scoring runs at Test level for the first time in six years.