The first Test match of the two-match series between Zimbabwe and West Indies ended 🦄in a draw. The game in Bulawayo saw a massive run-fest as both teams put up a 🌠great show with the bat and survived until the last day of the opening Test.
After opting to bat, West Indies declared their first innings on a massive score of 447/6, thanks to Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s blazing double century. Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite also played a blistering 182-run knock. Meanwhile, Brandon Mavuta took a five-wicket haul for Zimbabwe in the first essay.
In reply, Zimbabwe called off their innings ar a score of 379/9. Gary Ballance slammed a brilliant century for his side and contributed 137 runs to the team’s total. Innocent Kaia also hit a resilient half-century for the hosts.
With a ton on his debut in the longest format, Ballance became only the second player in the history of the game to have scored Test centuries for two different nations. Notably, the 33-year-old had represented England at the in💮ternational level before signing a contract with Zimbabwe. Apart f𒈔rom Ballance, Kepler Wessels is the only other batter on the unique list. Wessels represented Australia and South Africa in Test cricket.
On the other hand, Alzarri Joseph picked three wickets for West Indies, while Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motie scalped two wickets each.
With the help of Raymon Reifer and Jermaine Blackwood’s fifties, theꦦ tourists declared their second innings on 230/5. In response, Zimbabwe🍷 batted resiliently and secured a draw.
The Caribbeans tried their best to bowl out the hosts as Jason Holder even switched to off-break b🌳owling but unfortunately could✃n’t guide his team to victory.
For his exceptional double ton, Chanderpaul was awarded the ‘Player of the Match.’
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Gary Ballanc🔯e has a Test century for Engla🉐nd and now Zimbabwe.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Home coming!
ꦕ♐Gary Ballance🇿🇼🏏 is only the second player in history to score test centuries for two different countries having previously done so for England🏴.
Keppler Wessels is the only ꦗother play to do so, for Australia🇦🇺 anꦐd South Africa🇿🇦.
— Undisputed🎙️📺 (@Mr_Tich)
Gary Bal✃lance scores a hundred with Tagenarine in opposition team.
Ballance's last Test hundred was with father Shivnarine in opposition team.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
💯♏ * for Gary Ballance! His Maideওn Test Hundred for
— Master Eli (@TheMasterEli)
Maiden Test ton for Gary Ballance 💥👏🏾
— Wonder Mashura (@wonderimages)
CENTURY! A maiden Test ton for♔ Gary Ballance! 🙇♂️Wonderful inning💃s.
Only the second player after Kepler We♑ssels to score a century for two countries!
Watch every ball live and FREE on 📺 | |
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv)
Zim෴babwe declare 68 runs beh♍ind West Indies. "I see your BazBall and raise you one BallBall"
Gary Ballance finishes unbeaten on 137 on his second Tꦐest debut
— Abhimanyu Bose (@bose_abhimanyu)
Been on the move all day but I’m here 🐟now to celebrate this tremendous knock by Gary Ballance, well supported♔ by Brandon Mavuta! Welcome back to Zimbabwe ��🇼
— Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 (@AdamTheofilatos)
Hundred✃ for Gary Ballance on his first Test match for Zimbabwe. He played first test f𝔉or Zimbabwe and scored a brilliant Hundred.
Outstanding, Gary Ballance.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)
Gary Ballance, several years after his l✤a💛st Test for England and now first for Zimbabwe, has a century.
— Jamie Alter 🇮🇳 (@alter_jamie)
