Gary Ballance announces retirement from all forms of Cricket

Gary Ballance represented England and Zimbabwe in international Cricket

Former England Batter Gary Ballance has now announced his retirement from International cricket. Balance at the end of 2022 had signed a two year deal with Zimbabwe Cricket. Yorkshire released Balance after a massive controversy. He faced severe racism accusations against him. He recently made his debut for Zimbabwe. Gary Balance in his statement has said that he has lost the desire to continue his professional rigors of cricket. Gary Ballance had tough last few years in his cricket career as well as in his personal life. He dealt with mental health issues as well.

'I have no desire to dedicate myself...'

In a released statement Gary Ballance said, “After much thought I had decided to retire from all forms of professional cricket with immediate effect… I had hoped my move to Zimbabwe would provide me with a new found happiness… However, I have reached the stage where I no longer have the desire to dedicate myself to the rigours of professional sport and this would do Zimbabwe Cricket and the game itself a disservice, should I carry on. I wish them every success going forward”. Ballance last played a ODI series against Netherlands for Zimbabwe last month.

Left hand batter Garry Ballance has played for two international teams. He made his debut with England and finished off his career with Zimbabwe. He made his Test debut at the age of 23 in Australia. Balance started his test career against Australia in the 2013 Ashes. That series will always be remembered for ‘Mo’, Mitchell Johnson’s brutal pace attack against English batters. Ballance played 24 Test matches and scored 1653 runs with an average of 40.31 in Test cricket. Ballance did not have a great start in his Limited Overs international career.

He played only 21 ODIs and scored only 454 runs. His average in ODI cricket is 25.22. He played an important role in England’s win against India in the 2014 series. Ballance scored two back to back centuries against India in that series. His career best also came against India in the Southampton Test in 2014.