The left-handed stylish batter Gary Balance became the 16th player in Test matches to feature for two countries. He was given captain for Zimbabwe against West Indies on the first day of the first Test match played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on 4 February 2023.
Gary Balance made his Test debut for England on 3rd January 2014 against Australia. He used to bat at number 3 and was the pillar with his solid technique and ability to play with positive intent. Balance took just 10 Test and 17 innings to reach 1000 runs. During that time, he averaged 67.93 with four centuries and five half-centuries.
Balance’s next 13 Test matches made just 2 half-centuries to his name. He was dropped from England’s Test squad and his average dropped down to 37.45. Balance made his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka at Lords followed by two more against India in Lords and Southampton. Before making his debut for Zimbabwe today, Balance made 1498 runs from 23 matches ( 42 innings) with best score of 156 including 4 centuries and 7 half-centuries.
Balance played according to the ball of the merit and kept England on course for big totals. He had a poor season during the 0-5 whitewash by Australia in the Ashes.
Here we look at the 16 players that featured in Test matches for two countries:
- WE Midwinter- Australia, England
- WL Murdoch- Australia, England
- JJ Ferris- Australia, England
- SMJ Woods- Australia, England
- F Heame- England, South Africa
- AE Trott- Australia, England
- F Mitchell- England, South Africa
- Nawab of Patudi Senior- England, India
- Gul Mohammed- India, Pakistan
- AH Kardar- India, Pakistan
- Amir Elahi- India, Pakistan
- SC Gullen- West Indies, New Zealand
- AJ Tracios- South Africa, Zimbabwe
- Kepler Wessels- Australia, South Africa
- WB Rankin- England, Ireland
- Gary Balance- England, Zimbabwe.
Balance did not get to bat on the first day as West Indies openers Tangerine Chanderpaul and captain Kraigg Braithwaite ended at 112 for 0.
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