With terrific performances in County Championship, Gary Ballance in line for international return

When England toured Bangladesh in 2016, one thing was evident after the tournament ended, middle-order batsman Gary Ballance would probably not find a place in the England Test team again after his very shallow performances. However, Gary has been in the form of his life in domestic cricket since.

In the County Championship this summer, the 27-year old has amassed more runs than any other Englishman – 815 Division One runs at 101.87 average, a record which is bettered by only former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara.

Although he struggled in his initial days of international Test cricket, he is now waiting to return to the team and also be a part of the Ashes series.  He has now turned to a different view. Ballance boasts of good records in Tests overall though-1413 which include four centuries.

And, for all the flak his technique got- the young batsman has been reproached for moving too far across his crease and also positioning himself too deep, which makes him vulnerable to the ball when spins, Ballance didn’t remodel his game but worked more on what brought him success in the previous Tests.

“I’ve had temptations before. Every time I’ve tried to change it I’ve got worse,” he says. “There’s no point in changing. I play the way I play, I’m just trying to make it the best it is, try and make my strengths stronger and my weaknesses better. I’ve worked hard in the winter and have kept working all summer.” the Independent quoted him as saying.

Yorkshire coach positive about Ballance’s international comeback 

Meanwhile, with terrific performances for Yorkshire, England will definitely consider giving Ballance a recall to the Test team.

“When they picked him last year, he wasn’t playing that well,” he says. “But you can see the consistency that he’s had lately and he’s hardly failed for us this year, and he’s ready to play for England again.” Andrew Gale, Yorkshire’s coach was quoted as saying.