Gary Ballance is a rare cricket figure — a Test centurion for two nations: England and Zimbabwe. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 22 November 1989, Ballance built most of his career in England but made a remarkable late-career switch back to his birth country.
Ballance is best known for his compact technique, gritty batting style, and ability to anchor innings — especially under pressure.
Contents
- 1 What is Gary Ballance known for in international cricket?
- 2 Gary Ballance vs Other Dual Internationals
- 3 What are Gary Ballance’s career statistics?
- 4 What was Gary Ballance’s domestic cricket career like?
- 5 Why did Gary Ballance switch to Zimbabwe?
- 6 What happened in the Yorkshire racism scandal?
- 7 When did Gary Ballance retire and what is he doing now?
- 8 What is Gary Ballance’s public profile like?
- 9 What is Gary Ballance’s legacy?
- 10 Breakdown of His Batting Technique
- 11 Where Are They Now? Yorkshire Teammates
- 12 Quick FAQs:
- 12.1 Is Gary Ballance coaching now?
- 12.2 Did Gary Ballance play for two countries?
- 12.3 When did Gary Ballance play for England?
- 12.4 When did Gary Ballance debut for Zimbabwe?
- 12.5 How many Test centuries did Gary Ballance score?
- 12.6 Why did Gary Ballance leave England cricket?
- 12.7 Is Gary Ballance retired from cricket?
- 12.8 What is Gary Ballance doing now?
- 12.9 Was Gary Ballance involved in a racism scandal?
- 12.10 Where was Gary Ballance born?
- 12.11 How many runs did Gary Ballance score in Test cricket?
What is Gary Ballance known for in international cricket?
Gary Ballance played international cricket for both England and Zimbabwe — a feat only a few in history have achieved. His England career spanned 2014–2017, highlighted by a century at Lord’s and a solid average above 40 during his early years.
In 2023, he made a historic return to Zimbabwe’s side, scoring a century on Test debut — becoming the first player since Kepler Wessels to score hundreds for two countries.
Gary Ballance vs Other Dual Internationals
Dual-National Test Players
| Player | Country 1 | Country 2 | Test Centuries | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Ballance | England | Zimbabwe | 6 | First since 1890s to do so |
| Kepler Wessels | Australia | South Africa | 4 | Played before SA isolation |
| Ed Joyce | England | Ireland | 0 | Switched under ICC rules |
| Boyd Rankin | Ireland | England | 0 | Switched back after 1 Test |
| Dirk Nannes | Netherlands | Australia (T20) | N/A | Dual T20 representation |
What are Gary Ballance’s career statistics?
Ballance’s numbers back up his quality — with a strong domestic average and respectable Test stats.
Gary Ballance – Career Overview
| Format | Matches | Runs | Bat Avg | 100s/50s | High Score |
|---|
| Test | 23 | 1,498 | 37.45 | 6/7 | 156 |
| ODI | 16 | 297 | 21.21 | 0/2 | 79 |
| First-Class | 163 | 11,682 | 47.74 | 40/56 | 203* |
What was Gary Ballance’s domestic cricket career like?
Gary Ballance spent over a decade with Yorkshire CCC, becoming one of their most consistent batters. He was instrumental in their 2014 and 2015 County Championship wins and captained the side during turbulent times.
Later in his career, he returned to Zimbabwean domestic cricket with Mashonaland Eagles, marking a full-circle journey.
After over 11,000 first-class runs for Yorkshire, Ballance returned to the Mashonaland Eagles in 2023, bringing elite-level experience to Zimbabwe’s domestic setup.
Why did Gary Ballance switch to Zimbabwe?
The move wasn’t just about cricket. Ballance was born in Zimbabwe, and after his fallout from English cricket due to the racism scandal, Zimbabwe offered both redemption and reconnection.
He met ICC eligibility criteria after three years of non-selection by England. Zimbabwe Cricket, seeking experienced talent, welcomed him back.
ICC Eligibility Rules (Explained)
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residency | Player must be a national or citizen |
| Inactivity Period | 3 years since last international match |
| Documentation | Must hold valid passport |
Gary’s Zimbabwean birth and passport made him eligible in 2022. He debuted for Zimbabwe in 2023 and scored a Test hundred in his first game — a rare and emotional comeback.
What happened in the Yorkshire racism scandal?
In 2021, Ballance was implicated in the Yorkshire racism investigation after former teammate Azeem Rafiq accused the club of institutional racism.
Ballance admitted using racist language in the past, which led to:
- An apology in the media
- ECB disciplinary action
- Yorkshire terminating his contract in 2022
His return to Zimbabwe cricket was seen as both a fresh start and a public act of reflection.
When did Gary Ballance retire and what is he doing now?
Ballance retired from all professional cricket in April 2024. But he didn’t step away from the game. He joined Zimbabwe’s coaching staff ahead of the England tour in 2025.
His new role focuses on mentoring young batters, bringing insight from both English and Zimbabwean systems.
What is Gary Ballance’s public profile like?
Ballance keeps a low profile online, especially post-scandal. He has a private Instagram account and no public Twitter presence.
Social Media Table
| Platform | Username | Status | Followers (Est) |
|---|---|---|---|
| @garryballance | Low-active | 10k+ | |
| Tagged (Wisden) | Passive | N/A | |
| None | N/A | N/A |
What is Gary Ballance’s legacy?
Ballance’s story is both inspiring and controversial. He’s remembered for:
- Scoring centuries for two countries
- Being a high-performing county player
- Facing consequences in a racism case
- Rebuilding his career with humility
He represents redemption in sport, but also serves as a case study in accountability.
Breakdown of His Batting Technique
Ballance’s batting style was classic yet compact. He thrived in longer formats and was known for his discipline.
Key Technical Traits:
- Trigger Movement: He used a back-and-across trigger to align himself with the stumps.
- Scoring Zones: Preferred square drives and flicks through mid-wicket.
- Back-Foot Play: Pulled and cut short balls with ease.
- Strengths: Patience, timing, ability to play spin and seam.
- Weaknesses: Vulnerable to high pace and late in-swingers early on.
Where Are They Now? Yorkshire Teammates
Teammates and Current Status:
| Player | Role at Yorkshire | Current Role |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | Teammate (Top order) | England Test team anchor |
| Jonny Bairstow | Wicketkeeper/Batsman | England white-ball specialist |
| Adil Rashid | Spinner | England T20 mainstay |
| Adam Lyth | Opening batsman | Still active in county cricket |
| Azeem Rafiq | Spinner | Whistleblower in racism scandal |
Quick FAQs:
Is Gary Ballance coaching now?
Yes. As of 2025, he’s part of Zimbabwe’s national team coaching setup.
Did Gary Ballance play for two countries?
Yes, Gary Ballance played Test cricket for both England and Zimbabwe.
When did Gary Ballance play for England?
He played for England from 2014 to 2017.
When did Gary Ballance debut for Zimbabwe?
He made his Zimbabwe Test debut in February 2023 against the West Indies.
How many Test centuries did Gary Ballance score?
He scored six Test centuries — five for England and one for Zimbabwe.
Why did Gary Ballance leave England cricket?
He stepped away after being involved in the Yorkshire racism scandal and became ineligible under England’s selection.
Is Gary Ballance retired from cricket?
Yes, he retired from all forms of professional cricket in April 2024.
What is Gary Ballance doing now?
He is a batting consultant for Zimbabwe’s national team as of 2025.
Was Gary Ballance involved in a racism scandal?
Yes, he admitted to using racist language and was named in the Azeem Rafiq investigation.
Where was Gary Ballance born?
He was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 22 November 1989.
How many runs did Gary Ballance score in Test cricket?
He scored 1,498 Test runs at an average of 37.45.
Gary Ballance’s story isn’t just about numbers — it’s about choices, mistakes, second chances, and identity.
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