Gary Ballance after scoring Test hundred on debut for Zimbabwe towards West Indies: Extra stress, however felt assured

West Indies vs Zimbabwe: Left-handed batter Gary Ballance scored 137 runs with the assistance of 12 fours and one six within the opening Test at Queen’s Sports Oval.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 7, 2023 22:28 IST

Extra stress, however felt assured: Ballance after scoring Test hundred on debut for ZIM. Courtesy: AP

By India Today Web Desk: Gary Ballance admitted that there was a little bit of ‘extra pressure’ when he was batting for Zimbabwe of their first Test towards West Indies on the Queen’s Sports Oval in Bulawayo.

However, the southpaw absorbed the stress and went on to notch his fifth Test hundred and his first for Zimbabwe. The left-hander additionally grew to become solely the third batter to attain 100 in Tests on debut whereas taking part in for Zimbabwe.

Dave Houghton and Hamilton Masakadza are the opposite two batters to have achieved the milestone. Ballance additionally grew to become solely the second batter within the historical past of Test cricket after Kepler Wessells to attain Test lots of for 2 completely different international locations.

The veteran stated that batting wasn’t simple because the quick bowlers, particularly Alzarri Joseph, who picked up three wickets for the West Indies, bowled in the fitting channels.

“Didn’t know that. That’s a cool stat and it is nice to contribute. Bit of extra pressure, but when I spent some time in the middle, I felt confident,” Ballance was quoted as saying.

“All different challenges. Joseph has got some extra pace, so that is difficult. The seamers were bowling wicket to wicket, so it was hard to score,” he acknowledged.

Ballance additionally had phrases of reward for Brandon Mavuta, who picked up a five-wicket haul and adopted it up with a half-century. Ballance and Mavuta additionally placed on 135 runs for the eighth wicket. Ballance stayed unbeaten on 137 with 12 fours and two sixes.

“I don’t think I needed to give him lessons. He was playing nicely. He got a few short deliveries first up, but from there, he was playing freely. Good to see him get a fifty following from his five-for,” Ballance added.

At Stumps on Day 4, West Indies, led by Kraigg Brathwaite, had been main by 89 runs with all their 10 wickets in hand of their second innings.

Edited By:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published On:

Feb 7, 2023