Zimbabwe’s Gary Ballance Becomes Second Batter To Score Test Centuries For Two Countries | Cricket News

Gary Ballance grew to become solely the second Test batsman after Kepler Wessels to attain a century for 2 nations, hitting an unbeaten 137 for Zimbabwe towards the West Indies in Bulawayo on Tuesday. Needing at the least 248 runs in reply to a West Indies’ declaration of 447-6 to keep away from a potential follow-on, Zimbabwe declared at 379-9 after the second session on day 4 of the primary Test. That left the hosts trailing by 68 runs after the primary innings of their first Test since shedding to Bangladesh two years in the past.

Batting once more, the vacationers have been 21-0 on the shut, giving them an total lead of 89 runs going into the ultimate day on the Queens Sports Club.

Harare-born Ballance scored 4 centuries for England over the last decade earlier than returning dwelling to make his Test debut for Zimbabwe on this match at Queens Sports Club. South Africa-born Wessels scored 4 centuries for Australia earlier than returning dwelling and making two extra for his homeland once they have been readmitted to Test cricket within the Nineties.

Ballance and leg spinner Brandon Mavuta, who made 56 earlier than taking part in throughout the road to a brief supply and being bowled by Jason Holder, placed on 135 in an excellent eighth-wicket stand. Aware of his key function having are available in at quantity 5 with Zimbabwe 114-3, Ballance was the epitome of warning, painstakingly constructing his innings.

By the declaration, the 33-year-old had confronted 231 balls and his whole included two sixes, considered one of which took him to his century, and 12 fours. While Ballance was foiling West Indies plans to bowl out Zimbabwe cheaply and power them to right away bat once more, Mavuta performed an excellent back-up function.

Having taken 5 West Indies wickets, he proved equally skilful with the bat and didn’t maintain again when provided scoring possibilities as he slammed 9 fours. The day started with Test debutant Innocent Kaia on 59, however he might add solely eight extra earlier than being trapped leg earlier than by quick bowler Alzarri Joseph for 67.

Kaia fluffed an tried flick and was hit excessive on the entrance pad. A evaluate was not potential because the DRS (resolution evaluate system) is just not getting used on this sequence.

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