Gary Ballance century inspires Zimbabwe fight back against West Indies
- Planet Sport writer
- 7 February 2023
An unbeaten century from former England batter Gary Ballance sparked a Zimbabwe fight back against West Indies on the fourth day of the first Test in Bulawayo.
The 33-year-old switched his allegiance to the country of his birth having last featured for England in 2017, playing 23 Tests and 16 ODIs for his adopted nation.
Zimbabwe had resumed on Tuesday morning at 114 for three in reply to the tourists' first-innings declaration of 447 for six.
After opener Innocent Kaia was lbw to Alzarri Joseph for 67, Ballance brought up his 100, with nine fours and two sixes, ahead of tea supported by a maiden half-century from Brandon Mavuta to help push the hosts past 300.
Ballance went on to reach 137, becoming the highest Test scorer on debut for Zimbabwe, as the hosts declared at 379 for nine when still 68 runs behind.
At stumps, the West Indies reached 21 without loss from 13 overs in their second innings, a lead of 89.
