Ballance ready for Zimbabwe switch

GARY BALLANCE could turn his back on England and change his international allegiance to Zimbabwe. The 32-year-old was born and raised in Zimbabwe but played 23 Tests for England from 2014-17. Paperwork for him to switch was sent to the International Cricket Council earlier this year — before he was charged by the ECB in June as part of the Yorkshire racism scandal. It could see Ballance play against England in the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in October.

It is believed he is waiting on the result of the ECB hearing into Azeem Rafiq’s racism allegations, expected in October, before making any decisions. Ballance admitted last November to calling ex-Yorkshire team-mate Rafiq a ‘P***’. The ICC, Ballance’s solicitor and Zimbabwe were approached for comment.