On his Zimbabwe Test debut, former England player Gary Ballance becomes just the second man to score Test tons for two countries
Match Report:
ScorecardBallance follows Wessels with ton for second nation
Former England Test batsman Gary Ballance has scored an unbeaten century on debut to lead Zimbabwe in a sterling fightback on the fourth day of the first Test against West Indies.
Facing West Indies' 6-447 declared, Zimbabwe were able to declare themselves on 9-379. Batting again the tourists were 21 without loss at Tuesday's close, giving them an 89-run lead.
Ballance becomes only the second batsman, after former South Africa and Australia opener Kepler Wessels, to have scored Test centuries for two countries.
Ballance, who switched allegiance last year and has already played for Zimbabwe in ODIs this year, scored 137no at the Queens Sports Club.
#1stTest - Day 4: TEA 🫖 After 111 overs, 🇿🇼 are 313-7
%E2%80%94 Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 7, 2023
(Ballance 107*, Mavuta 52*), trail West Indies 🌴 by 134 runs
Watch every ball live and FREE on https://t.co/IYzYrrprg4 📺#ZIMvWI | #VisitZimbabwe | #FillUpQueensSportsClub pic.twitter.com/DNcRqrvN07
"I can't even describe how proud I am, firstly to represent Zimbabwe, and secondly to get the hundred," Ballance said.
On playing tests for different countries, he said: "It's a different feeling. For England, it was a feeling of achievement, while for Zimbabwe, it's also achievement, and a matter of pride."
With one day remaining a draw appears inevitable but Ballance said "we are trying to put ourselves on the front foot to win."
The second match in the two-Test series begins on 12 February.
Left-hander Ballance brought up his ton with a six over deep square leg as he and Brandon Mavuta put together a 135-run partnership for the eighth wicket, hauling Zimbabwe out of trouble after they had slumped to 6-147, then 7-192.
Wessels 100 in 1st Test for Aus and 2nd Test for SA.
%E2%80%94 Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) February 7, 2023
Ballance 100 in 2nd Test for Eng and 1st Test for Zim.
They are the only players with Test 100s for two teams.
The 25-year-old Mavuta, who claimed a maiden five-wicket haul on the first two days of rain-affected play, made 56 before being bowled by Jason Holder on a flat deck.
Earlier opener Innocent Kaia made 67.
West Indies used nine bowlers with Alzarri Joseph (3-75) and Holder (2-55) the most successful.
Harare-born Ballance, who moved to England as a schoolboy, was able to switch allegiances under International Cricket Council rules as a player can change between two different full member nations after a three-year stand-down period.
The 33-year-old made 23 Test appearances for England between 2013 and 2017, scoring four centuries.
- with AP