Gary Ballance joins Zimbabwe coaching staff for England Test

Former England and Zimbabwe batter Gary Ballance has been appointed as a coaching consultant for Zimbabwe's upcoming four-day Test against England in Nottingham, marking Zimbabwe's first Test in England since 2003. Ballance, who played international cricket for both nations and is the joint third-fastest English player to reach 1,000 Test runs, brings his extensive knowledge of English conditions to Zimbabwe's tactical preparation. Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni emphasized that Ballance's experience will be a valuable asset for the historic tour. Ballance previously admitted to involvement in the Yorkshire racism scandal before representing Zimbabwe and retiring from professional cricket in 2023. The team will also play a warm-up match against a First-Class County XI and a four-day game against South Africa ahead of the World Test Championship final. Ballance's dual international experience and recent playing career are seen as key factors in his appointment.