Half-century shifts Ballance towards selection in second Test

ENGLAND batsman Gary Ballance declared he’s ready for a Test debut.

Ballance put his hand up for selection for the next week’s second Test in Ade- laide after a determined halfcentury against the Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI at TIO Traeger Park Oval in Alice Springs on Friday.

The Zimbabwe- born 24-year-old top-scored in England’s mediocre total of 7-212 declared in a bid to claim the recently vacated No. 3 position for the Adelaide Test match against Australia starting on Thursday.

Ballance feels that his timely knock has given him plenty of confidence after recording two ducks and a four in England colours.

‘‘ It’s been a long month working hard in the nets, so just to be able to bat for a few hours in the middle and give myself some confidence was good,’’ he said.

‘‘I’ve been able to make a 50 today, it would have been nice to push on and get 100, but that happens in cricket.’’

While he would jump at the chance to play for his adopted home against traditional rivals Australia next week, Ballance wasn’t taking anything for granted.

‘‘Obviously it would be a great feeling, but I don’t really want to look too far ahead,’’ he said.

England’s other middleorder candidates, Yorkshire batsman Jonny Bairstow and Kiwi- born Durham allrounder Ben Stokes, scored 31 not out and 28 respectively on day one of the match.

Bairstow has played 12 Tests and averages 30.22, while Stokes, like Ballance, is yet to represent England in the Test arena.