Former England Check batsman Gary Ballance has scored an unbeaten century on debut to steer Zimbabwe in a sterling fightback on the fourth day of the primary Check in opposition to the West Indies.
He turns into solely the second batsman, after former South Africa and Australia opener Kepler Wessels, to have scored Check centuries for 2 international locations.
Ballance, who switched allegiance final yr and has already performed for Zimbabwe in ODIs this yr, scored 137 on the Queens Sports activities Membership to assist the hosts declare on 9-379.
West Indies’ first innings was declared at 6-447. Batting once more they have been 21 with out loss on the shut on the fourth day on Tuesday, giving them an 89-run lead.
With in the future remaining a draw seems inevitable. The second match within the two-Check collection begins on February 12.
Left-hander Ballance introduced up his ton with a six over deep sq. leg as he and Brandon Mavuta put collectively a 135-run partnership for the eighth wicket, hauling Zimbabwe out of bother after that they had slumped to 6-147, then 7-192 .
The 25-year-old Mavuta, who claimed a maiden five-wicket haul on the primary two days of rain-affected play, made 56 earlier than being bowled by Jason Holder on a flat deck.
Earlier opener Harmless Kaia made 67.
West Indies used 9 bowlers with Alzarri Joseph (3-75) and Holder (2-55) essentially the most profitable.
Harare-born Ballance, who moved to England as a schoolboy, was in a position to change allegiances underneath Worldwide Cricket Council guidelines as a participant can change between two completely different full member nations after a three-year stand-down interval.
The 33-year-old made 23 Check appearances for England between 2013 and 2017, scoring 4 centuries.
