Gary Ballance named in Zimbabwe squad for T20 series against Ireland
Former England batter Gary Ballance has been named in Zimbabwe’s squad for three T20s against Ireland this month.
Ballance switched allegiance back to the country of his birth by signing a two-year deal with Zimbabwe Cricket last month after Yorkshire granted the 33-year-old’s request to be released from his contract.
The left-hander represented Zimbabwe at under-19 level but, after moving to England to complete his schooling, went on to play 23 Tests and 16 ODIs for his adopted nation between 2013 and 2017.
Ballance in Zimbabwe squad for T20I series against Ireland
Details đŸ”½https://t.co/l4chQi1yIe pic.twitter.com/Ppd9L7Zeus
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) January 4, 2023
Having long since cleared the mandatory three-year gap necessary to play for a different country, Ballance could now resurrect his international career in three T20s in Harare on January 12, 14 and 15.
His inclusion in a 15-strong Zimbabwe squad is one of four changes to the group that featured at last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
Star all-rounder Sikandar Raza has been given permission to skip the series as he pursues “franchise cricket elsewhere”.
Zimbabwe and Ireland might qualify for the World Cup later this year. If they do, they’ll likely be among cricket betting‘s long odds in the tournament winner markets.
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