Potentially a fantastic short term fix for our opening dilemma

[sloandog]

It's just not going to happen. He has a very comfortable life in the UK and as I believe is married.
Like Sean Ervine, Ballance is gone. Focus on Musakanda, Wez, Shumba, Myers, Burl, Evans and the other lads in the system. They're still here.
Byrom is another one. He's gone, done. Move on. He chose his path and good on him. Welch I think there's still an outside chance of him making a Zimbabwe side, but the stars need to align and he needs a generous financial package.

[jaybro]

Ballance has also had lots of issues regarding mental health in recent times, I doubt he’d want to put himself in the Washington machine’ that is ZC.

If they’ve got the cash to pay Ballance I’d be offering to either Welch or Muyeye.

[Jemisi]

Ballance would have to still be able to play county cricket for this to work.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Ballance has also had lots of issues regarding mental health in recent times, I doubt he’d want to put himself in the Washington machine’ that is ZC.

If they’ve got the cash to pay Ballance I’d be offering to either Welch or Muyeye.

Was about to say this myself. I doubt he would want to put himself in the everyday uncertainty of ZC given his mental health issues.

[TapsC2]

Ballance has also had lots of issues regarding mental health in recent times, I doubt he’d want to put himself in the Washington machine’ that is ZC.

If they’ve got the cash to pay Ballance I’d be offering to either Welch or Muyeye.

If that’s the case then I would advise him not to come.

[eugene]

The track record in recent years of Zimbabwean going overseas and trying to crack the English or Australian cricket scenes isn't great. I wonder if any of the current youngsters take notice of this and realize that playing for Zimbabwe may not be the worst fate. If Sikandar Raza had disappeared off to England he would probably be playing in a village somewhere, instead he is earning good money on the T20 circuit.

[ZIMDOGGY]

Ballance would have to still be able to play county cricket for this to work.

He might actually be someone that his county will take as an overseas player.
Make the move! Worst he can say is no.

[Googly]

If he was contracted as an overseas would he still be eligible for a Benefit Year? The answer to that would be a major factor.

[Googly]

The list of young guys in recent years who have gone to another country to play cricket specifically includes Matigimu, Madhevere, Muyeye, Lock, Hopper, Evans, Byrom, Welch, Schardendorf x2, Curran x2, Bhawa, Mitchell, (these two are still at school),.....can't think of any others atm.
Oh Huchu, but he went as an all-rounder.

Of these Byrom, Welch, both Currans, Madhevere, and a Schardendorf have contracts. That's 6 from 14. That's a serious strike rate.

Matigimu probably has an outside shout at Titans and a firm opportunity in Zim.
Muyeye is a dead cert for Zim if/when he returns.
Bhawa is the same. He's a serious talent.
The guys who went to University outside who hedged their bets between cricket and an education were Geyle, Lake, King and .... can't think of rhe others atm. There's a lesson- none of them are on a radar. Looks like shit or bust.

Who has stayed here in recent years and been picked for Zim? Shumba, Burl and Jongwe. Again can't think of others atm but there are a few.

Make of that what you will. My take is if you're any good is that if you want to make a go of it overseas you have to leave early, but you're in long shot territory. Cricket is a very uncertain career, especially here.

[Googly]

I've missed out a couple of guys who have had or who are still on scholarships in SA. Booth springs to mind.
In my view any youngster who has a chance of holding his own in international cricket will have learnt his trade elsewhere.