‘Mixed feelings’ about Ashes for Ballance

England

England batsman Gary Ballance says it's been difficult for him to watch the Ashes victories from the sidelines, but has focused on getting his batting back on track with Yorkshire with an eye to regaining his Test place.

Ballance was dropped after the second Test at Lord's, which England lost, after a run of poor scores, and then had to watch as his colleagues went on to win the series with a game to spare.

But he's been back with the Tykes and playing in the One-Day Cup, with two half centuries since leaving the England camp. He's not back in full form yet, but hopes the hard yards will pay off in the end.

Ballance said on Sky Sports: "It hasn't been easy but it has been good for me. It has been quite a tough summer with England.

"It has been good, the lads at Yorkshire have been brilliant. They are a great bunch of lads, I get on well with them.

"We have done well in this 50-over comp, I have got a few runs, and hopefully we can get a quarter-final place.

"I was pretty gutted but you move on and look at ways of improving and becoming a better player. Hopefully, over the last few weeks, I have been able to do that.

"I have tried to get away from the pressure cooker of international cricket and tried to focus on scoring runs and winning games for Yorkshire."

As for watching everyone from the sidelines, Ballance added: "It was mixed feelings. I was delighted for the lads to win an Ashes series and I can at least say I played two Tests.

"After the game (at Trent Bridge), six or seven of the guys FaceTimed me and said congratulations to me, so that was good of them.

"Overall, to be part of an Ashes-winning summer is amazing."

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