Gary Ballance has enjoyed the start of his winter in Zimbabwe, scoring two centuries so far for Mid West Rhinos...
MATCH TWO: METBANK PRO40
Mid West Rhinos 252-8 (Ballance 135*, Sibanda 52, Hondo 3-31) beat Mashonaland Eagles 248-5 (Masvaure 62, Zhuwawo 57, Mutizwa 50) by 2 wickets
MATCH ONE: CASTLE LOGAN CUP (4-DAY)
Mid West Rhinos 351 (Nyathi 118, Mire 52, Ballance 30) and 294-4 dec (Ballance 132, Sibanda 57, Kasteni 56) drew with Mashonaland Eagles 354-8 dec (Hall 101*, Gupo 50) and 187-5 (Mutizwa 84, Muzarabani 3-33)
Gary missed Mid West Rhinos first two matches of the season due to his commitments with Yorkshire.
BALLANCE SPENDING HIS WINTER IN ZIMBABWE
Gary Ballance is spending the winter playing for Mid West Rhinos in Zimbabwe, a franchise coached by former Yorkshire player Jason Gillespie. Gary is using the winter months to get time in the middle and progress his career ahead of Yorkshire’s 2011 domestic campaign.
Gary is the nephew of David Houghton, an ex-Zimbabwean international who is playing a key role in recruiting talent to his native country to put it back on the world cricket map.
Gary said: “My uncle spoke to me a couple of months ago and asked if I wanted to go over as an overseas player. Apparently the standard of first-class cricket is really good, so I jumped at the chance. It is a good chance for me to go back and play some cricket as well as see my parents, who live over there still. This is a big chance for me to prove myself as a first-class cricket player.”
Gary continued: “I can really work on my game for five months, which has to be a good thing. Jason Gillespie is the coach of my team, and a few Zimbabwe internationals play for them too. I’m looking forward to the challenge – and, as an overseas player, I know the pressure will be on me. I played against Dizzy once – for Derbyshire – and he got me out. It will be great for me to have that Yorkshire connection. I’m very positive that I can play at this level – and, hopefully, I can show that in Zimbabwe.”
Jason Gillespie added: “Having Gary come to the Rhinos is exciting for both him and from the Rhino’s perspective also. We are excited about having a young quality batsman strengthening our top order. From the perspective of a former Yorkshire player I am delighted to be able to give Gary the chance to continue his development as a player. I will be in close contact with Yorkshire CCC to make sure that Gary’s development is continued during his time with us.”
Other English county players plying their trade in Zimbabwe this winter are Paul Franks (Nottinghamshire), Neil Carter (Warwickshire), Andrew Hall (Northamptonshire), Paul Horton (Lancashire), Nick Compton (Somerset) and Greg Smith (Derbyshire).
zimfan1 wrote:
Gary continued: “I can really work on my game for five months, which has to be a good thing. Jason Gillespie is the coach of my team, and a few Zimbabwe internationals play for them too. I’m looking forward to the challenge – and, as an overseas player, I know the pressure will be on me. I played against Dizzy once – for Derbyshire – and he got me out. It will be great for me to have that Yorkshire connection. I’m very positive that I can play at this level – and, hopefully, I can show that in Zimbabwe.”]