Gary Ballance

Who is Gary Ballance?

Gary Simon Ballance is an English first-class cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a leg break bowler, who currently plays for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and England. He was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. He normally fields at slip.

Ballance first played in the Second XI Championship in 2006, having made five appearances for Zimbabwe in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, in which the team finished in sixth place. In the final match for the team, Ballance scored a half-century, gaining notice from Derbyshire and earned the chance to sign for the team in 2006. He played his first limited overs match two weeks later, having performed in the Derbyshire Second XI.

At the end of the 2007 season, Ballance left Derbyshire to sign academy terms with Yorkshire. He made his first-class debut for Yorkshire against Kent at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury, in July 2008. In the first-class match against Durham MCC University in April 2011, Ballance scored 72 and 73 not out. He made his England debut on the 3rd of September 2013 in an ODI against Ireland.

Ballance is related to former Zimbabwean Test cricketer David Houghton through his mother, who is a cousin of David's wife.