Zimbabwe’s Gary Ballance second participant to attain Take a look at centuries for 2 international locations

Zimbabwe batsman Garry Ballance celebrates after scoring 100 runs on the fourth day of the Take a look at cricket match between Zimbabwe and West Indies at Queens Sports activities Membership in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on February 7, 2023
| Picture Credit score: AP

Gary Ballance turned solely the second Take a look at batsman after Kepler Wessels to attain a century for 2 international locations, hitting an unbeaten 137 for Zimbabwe towards the West Indies in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

Needing at the least 248 runs in reply to a West Indies’ declaration of 447-6 to keep away from a attainable follow-on, Zimbabwe declared at 379-9 after the second session on day 4 of the primary Take a look at.

That left the hosts trailing by 68 runs after the primary innings of their first Take a look at since dropping to Bangladesh two years in the past.

Batting once more, the vacationers had been 21-0 on the shut, giving them an general lead of 89 runs going into the ultimate day on the Queens Sports activities Membership.

Harare-born Ballance scored 4 centuries for England over the past decade earlier than returning house to make his Take a look at debut for Zimbabwe on this match at Queens Sports activities Membership.

South Africa-born Wessels scored 4 centuries for Australia earlier than returning house and making two extra for his homeland once they had been readmitted to Take a look at cricket within the Nineteen Nineties.

Ballance and leg spinner Brandon Mavuta, who made 56 earlier than enjoying throughout the road to a brief supply and being bowled by Jason Holder, placed on 135 in a superb eighth-wicket stand.

Conscious of his key function having are available at quantity 5 with Zimbabwe 114-3, Ballance was the epitome of warning, painstakingly constructing his innings.

By the declaration, the 33-year-old had confronted 231 balls and his whole included two sixes, one in all which took him to his century, and 12 fours.

Whereas Ballance was foiling West Indies plans to bowl out Zimbabwe cheaply and drive them to right away bat once more, Mavuta performed an excellent back-up function.

Having taken 5 West Indies wickets, he proved equally skilful with the bat and didn’t maintain again when supplied scoring possibilities as he slammed 9 fours.

The day started with Take a look at debutant Harmless Kaia on 59, however he may add solely eight extra earlier than being trapped leg earlier than by quick bowler Alzarri Joseph for 67.

Kaia fluffed an tried flick and was hit excessive on the entrance pad. A overview was not attainable because the DRS (choice overview system) just isn’t getting used on this collection.