Former England international Gary Ballance, who recently returned to play for his native Zimbabwe, announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ballance had signed a two-year deal with Zimbabwe Cricket in late 2022 and played five ODIs, one T20I and a Test for them since his return. But he announced his decision to retire from all forms of cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"After much thought, I have decided to retire from all forms of professional cricket with immediate effect," the 33-year-old said in the statement issued by the Professional Cricketers' Association.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I had hoped my move to Zimbabwe would provide me with a new-found happiness for the game and I will always be thankful to Zimbabwe Cricket for providing me with an opportunity to return to international cricket and welcoming me into their team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, I have reached the stage where I no longer have the desire to dedicate myself to the rigours of professional sport and this would do Zimbabwe Cricket and the game itself a disservice, should I carry on. I wish them every success going forward," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ballance had played 42 times for England across all three formats, averaging 37.45 in his 23 Test appearances for them between 2014 and 2017. He hit a hundred for Zimbabwe in his only Test appearance for them in February against West Indies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The cricketer became eligible to play for Zimbabwe in 2021, and in December 2022 revealed that he had made himself available to play for Zimbabwe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The opportunity to represent Zimbabwe has given me a new-found passion and excitement for the game," the batter said on revealing his decision to switch national teams at the time," Ballance said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The left-hander had become the second player after Kepler Wessels to make Test centuries for two different countries when he hit his only Test hundred for Zimbabwe earlier this year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He missed the second Test of the series with a migraine headache.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I have been fortunate to have some incredibly memorable moments in cricket, winning County Championships with Yorkshire and gaining the ultimate honour of representing England and Zimbabwe," Ballance said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n