ESPNCRICINFO reports that Gary Ballance has retired from all cricket - does anybody know details, what happened ?

[zimbos_05]

The only thing I can think of is that jonty is trying to soften the blow as once the real reason comes out of of why Gary retired, there will be some drama.

Also, getting really annoyed with all these retirements happening without the real reasons given. People knowing things but then refusing not to share it. Eventually we all find out about it in the media and people attack each other, and the racism starts too.

Zolsky must be frothing at the mouth.

[jontym87]

Gary Ballance since returning to Zimbabwe;

Tests: Average: 155
ODI: 39.25
T20I:: 30.00

Also a career average of just over 47 in both First Class and List A...........in county cricket which in your own words a few pages back is an incredibly high standard competition. But apparently he is 'past it'???

There's a reason he was literally the highest paid county player in England until last year.

Mate cricket isn’t judged over 2 or 3 games. He only played one test and a 2 ODIs or something. When he was given a prolonged run at international cricket he failed in red ball cricket.

I’ve got a question for you with such impressive List A and First Class average why has he achieved to maintain that at international level? I guess you say it’s a total different ball game yes and you will be right. So will there be some sort of miracle that he will start to perform because he is now playing for Zim? He could replicate that list A and first class performance on the international scene whilst in an environment that had everything. What more in a Zimbabwean environment where you’re facing 120km/hr bowlers that can’t swing the ball, that are underpaid don’t play cricket year round, you’re a joker

[secretzimbo]

If you can’t see that Ballance is a significantly better batter than basically everyone else in the country except maybe Williams and Raza then you are deluded.

He is a huge loss. You clearly don’t like him, not sure why.

[mnelson68]

In white ball cricket, I would pick a 21yr old Myers averaging 20 than 33yr old Ballance with so called ‘experience’ averaging 25. Is Ballance playing for Zimbabwe going to change his fortunes in terms of performance? At least with Myers there is potential unlike Gazz there is no potential to speak about. He is experienced yes but can he deliver and make that experience count? NO, simply he is past his sell by date better him play first class to improve our bowlers by making them toil international cricket no.

You are a peanut

[mnelson68]

Gary Ballance since returning to Zimbabwe;

Tests: Average: 155
ODI: 39.25
T20I:: 30.00

Also a career average of just over 47 in both First Class and List A...........in county cricket which in your own words a few pages back is an incredibly high standard competition. But apparently he is 'past it'???

There's a reason he was literally the highest paid county player in England until last year.

Mate cricket isn’t judged over 2 or 3 games. He only played one test and a 2 ODIs or something. When he was given a prolonged run at international cricket he failed in red ball cricket.

I’ve got a question for you with such impressive List A and First Class average why has he achieved to maintain that at international level? I guess you say it’s a total different ball game yes and you will be right. So will there be some sort of miracle that he will start to perform because he is now playing for Zim? He could replicate that list A and first class performance on the international scene whilst in an environment that had everything. What more in a Zimbabwean environment where you’re facing 120km/hr bowlers that can’t swing the ball, that are underpaid don’t play cricket year round, you’re a joker

Once again you are a peanut

[jontym87]

Gary Ballance since returning to Zimbabwe;

Tests: Average: 155
ODI: 39.25
T20I:: 30.00

Also a career average of just over 47 in both First Class and List A...........in county cricket which in your own words a few pages back is an incredibly high standard competition. But apparently he is 'past it'???

There's a reason he was literally the highest paid county player in England until last year.

Mate cricket isn’t judged over 2 or 3 games. He only played one test and a 2 ODIs or something. When he was given a prolonged run at international cricket he failed in red ball cricket.

I’ve got a question for you with such impressive List A and First Class average why has he achieved to maintain that at international level? I guess you say it’s a total different ball game yes and you will be right. So will there be some sort of miracle that he will start to perform because he is now playing for Zim? He could replicate that list A and first class performance on the international scene whilst in an environment that had everything. What more in a Zimbabwean environment where you’re facing 120km/hr bowlers that can’t swing the ball, that are underpaid don’t play cricket year round, you’re a joker

Once again you are a peanut

[jontym87]

In white ball cricket, I would pick a 21yr old Myers averaging 20 than 33yr old Ballance with so called ‘experience’ averaging 25. Is Ballance playing for Zimbabwe going to change his fortunes in terms of performance? At least with Myers there is potential unlike Gazz there is no potential to speak about. He is experienced yes but can he deliver and make that experience count? NO, simply he is past his sell by date better him play first class to improve our bowlers by making them toil international cricket no.

You are a peanut

[ZIMDOGGY]

cmon Jonty,
it is obvious Garry is head and shoulders better than anyone in our system.

Even his 'failed' stint in red ball cricket is only a failure by big 3 standards. He is the best in County. Its actually been spoken about and wondered often why he hasnt been recalled. I know people talk up County to a higher standard than it is, but it is still way better than Zim and to be the best of the best in that comp is pretty big.

We would kill for any bat who averaged high 30's against top 4 teams in tests, like Garry did.

Honestly it feels like im getting sucked in by a troll by just replying and explaining it.

[Googly]

If you'd sooner pick Dion over Gary in any form of cricket you need to go back to the drawing board
There is absolutely no comparison. It's apples and oranges.
Ballance is a master of his craft, Dion is a talented player and nobody has any idea of how far he will go, but I will bet both kidneys not as far as Ballance.

[tej_27]

cmon Jonty,
it is obvious Garry is head and shoulders better than anyone in our system.

Even his 'failed' stint in red ball cricket is only a failure by big 3 standards. He is the best in County. Its actually been spoken about and wondered often why he hasnt been recalled. I know people talk up County to a higher standard than it is, but it is still way better than Zim and to be the best of the best in that comp is pretty big.

We would kill for any bat who averaged high 30's against top 4 teams in tests, like Garry did.

Honestly it feels like im getting sucked in by a troll by just replying and explaining it.

I wish forum had the option of liking a post. This is so spot on . Ballance is the best we got for years . He is as big a loss as Taylor in 2015 when he was in his prime. Ballance was just starting to warm up again in those few games i am sure one would have seen loads of runs scored by him had he played the qualifiers . I hope ZC and Houghton are still trying to convince him to reconsider