Sports / Cricket
Zimbabwean born cricketer slots well in English County Championship cricket
24 Jun 2011 at 06:37hrs | Views
Gary Ballance, Zimbabwe-born 21-year-old cricketer currently based in UK is reported to be relishing the fight for a regular place in Yorkshire's first team (UK).
Ballance has slotted into the middle order well in both UK County Championship and Twenty20 cricket during the last five weeks.
He has scored fifties in each of his last three four-day matches and 25 and 46 in the last two 20-over clashes.
The left-hander was forced to bide his time for a chance at the start of the summer following a successful winter playing domestic cricket in his homeland.
But, thanks to injuries and the odd international call-up, he was given a chance last month.
And, ahead of tomorrow night's Friends Life t20 clash against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, Ballance said: "I very much feel part of the Yorkshire first team now.
"I've had some decent scores, and I feel like I fit in quite well now.
"They asked me to keep working hard and keep scoring runs in the seconds when I came back from Zimbabwe, then to take my chance when it came. I feel like I've done that so far.
"But there is so much competition for places at the moment, and I know that I have to keep doing well to keep my place in the team."
Ballance was the joint top-scorer with 46 off 32 balls alongside Joe Root during Wednesday's home defeat against Derbyshire, which leaves the North Division table looking extremely crowded.
Tomorrow night's clash is the first of two in three days, with Worcestershire the opponents at New Road on Sunday.
Ballance has slotted into the middle order well in both UK County Championship and Twenty20 cricket during the last five weeks.
He has scored fifties in each of his last three four-day matches and 25 and 46 in the last two 20-over clashes.
The left-hander was forced to bide his time for a chance at the start of the summer following a successful winter playing domestic cricket in his homeland.
But, thanks to injuries and the odd international call-up, he was given a chance last month.
"I've had some decent scores, and I feel like I fit in quite well now.
"They asked me to keep working hard and keep scoring runs in the seconds when I came back from Zimbabwe, then to take my chance when it came. I feel like I've done that so far.
"But there is so much competition for places at the moment, and I know that I have to keep doing well to keep my place in the team."
Ballance was the joint top-scorer with 46 off 32 balls alongside Joe Root during Wednesday's home defeat against Derbyshire, which leaves the North Division table looking extremely crowded.
Tomorrow night's clash is the first of two in three days, with Worcestershire the opponents at New Road on Sunday.
Source - www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
