Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE CRICKET (ZC) has strategically appointed former international star Gary Ballance, as a coaching consultant for the Chevrons’ upcoming tour of England, a calculated move designed to maximise their chances of achieving a historic performance on English soil.
The recruitment of Ballance, a player with significant experience in English conditions, signals ZC’s intent to provide the national team with crucial insights and tactical direction.
The one-off four-day Test match, slated for May 22–25, will mark Zimbabwe’s first red-ball appearance in England in over two decades, the last coming back in 2003.
ZC confirmed Ballance’s short-term appointment on Tuesday, with his wealth of experience and intimate knowledge of English conditions expected to bolster Zimbabwe’s preparations ahead of the landmark clash.
The 35-year-old brings a rare pedigree, having donned the whites for both England (2013–2017) and Zimbabwe (2023). A left-handed batter and occasional leg-break bowler, Ballance made his name at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, where he began his professional career following earlier stints with Derbyshire and the Zimbabwe Under-19 side.
Ballance burst onto the international scene with England, scoring 1 017 runs in just 17 Test innings at a staggering average of 67.93, second only to Sir Donald Bradman, among batters with over 1 000 runs and an average above 60.
He reached 1 000 Test runs faster than all, but two England players, achieving the milestone in April 2015 against the West Indies.
His stellar run earned him the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year accolade in 2014, and he was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 2015.
In a poetic turn, Ballance returned to his roots in December 2022, representing Zimbabwe for a brief but memorable four-month spell.
He made history in his only Test appearance for the Chevrons, a match against the West Indies, by scoring an unbeaten 137. That innings placed him alongside Kepler Wessels as one of only two players to record Test centuries for two different countries.
Between January and March 2023, he featured in eight matches for Zimbabwe before announcing his sudden retirement from all forms of professional cricket in April that year.
Now, in a coaching capacity, Ballance is set to pass on his invaluable insights to the next generation.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gary Ballance to our coaching set-up for this historic tour. His deep understanding of English conditions, gained over years of playing at the highest level, will be a valuable asset to our team’s tactical preparation,” said ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni.
Following the England Test, Zimbabwe will face South Africa in a four-day warm-up match from June 3–6 at Arundel. That match will serve as key preparation for the Proteas ahead of their ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, scheduled for June 11–15 at Lord’s.
The Zimbabwe squad is set to depart for England this Friday to acclimatise ahead of the highly anticipated tour.
