Gary Ballance, a former international cricketer who played for England and Zimbabwe, has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 33. Ballance had returned to Zimbabwe Cricket in late 2022 and played in several matches, including one Test match, one T20 International, and five One Day Internationals.
In a statement issued by the Professional Cricketers’ Association, Ballance expressed that he had decided to retire from professional cricket after much consideration. He thanked Zimbabwe Cricket for providing him with the opportunity to play international cricket once again and hoped that the team would achieve more success in the future.
Ballance played for England in 42 matches across all three formats of the game, and he had a Test batting average of 37.45 in 23 appearances from 2014 to 2017. He scored a century for Zimbabwe in February against West Indies, making him only the second player in cricket history after Kepler Wessels to achieve this feat for two different countries. Although Ballance missed the second Test of the series due to a migraine headache, he had made himself available to play for Zimbabwe in December 2022, expressing his passion for representing his birth country.
In his retirement statement, Ballance revealed that he no longer had the drive to pursue professional sport, and it would be unfair to continue playing without giving his all. He expressed gratitude to all his teammates, coaches, supporters, and staff who have helped him throughout his career and wished them all the best. Ballance’s retirement was met with mixed reactions from fans and cricket enthusiasts alike. Some were saddened by the news, expressing their admiration for his skills and contributions to the sport. Others expressed their support for his decision, acknowledging the physical and mental toll of professional sport.
Throughout his career, Ballance had faced his fair share of challenges and setbacks. He had been dropped from the England squad in 2017 and had to work his way back into the national team. His return to Zimbabwe Cricket had also been met with some skepticism, with some questioning his commitment to the country.
As Ballance moves onto the next chapter of his life, many will be curious to see what lies ahead for him. Some have speculated that he may continue to be involved in the sport, perhaps as a coach or commentator. Others have suggested that he may pursue other interests and passions. Whatever the future holds for Gary Ballance, one thing is certain: his contributions to the sport of cricket will not be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.
In conclusion, Gary Ballance’s retirement from professional cricket marked the end of a successful career that saw him represent two countries. Despite his brief stint with Zimbabwe Cricket, he will always be remembered for his century and his contribution to the team’s success. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.
