Gary Ballance, who was among the handful of players to represent two countries in international cricket, on April 19 (Wednesday) announced his retirement from the game. The decision came as a big surprise as the left-handed batter had only recently made a switch to Zimbabwe after playing international cricket for England. Ballance said that he had lost all desire to dedicate himself to the rigors of professional sport.
"After much thought, I have decided to retire from all forms of professional cricket with immediate effect," Ballance was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Professional Cricketers' Association.
"I had hoped my move to Zimbabwe would provide me with a new-found happiness for the game and I will always be thankful to Zimbabwe Cricket for providing me with an opportunity to return to international cricket and welcoming me into their team," he stated.
"However, I have reached the stage where I no longer have the desire to dedicate myself to the rigors of professional sport and it would do Zimbabwe Cricket and the game itself a disservice, should I carry on. I wish them every success going forward," Ballance added.
Ballance made his Test debut for England in 2014 and he last represented the Three Lions in 2017. The left-handed batter played 23 Test matches for England and scored four centuries in the process. Ballance also played 16 ODIs for England but didn't get a chance to represent the Three Lions in the shortest format of the game.
After being consistently overlooked in the selection and getting muddled up in the racism controversy involving Azeem Rafiq, Ballance's career had hit a rock bottom. In order to revive his laundering career, the 33-year-old moved to Zimbabwe and played seven international matches for the country. (1 T20I, 5 ODIs and 1 Test).
ALSO READ:
Despite 87-run opening stand, table-toppers RR lose plot in run chase against LSG to lose by 10 runs upon homecoming
'Watching KL Rahul bat in powerplays is the most boring thing I have ever been through': Former England captain Kevin Pietersen
ADVERTISEMENT