All forms of cricket will be retired by Gary Ballance

The 33-year-old former England batter announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 33-year-old returned to the country of his birth – Zimbabwe – after being released by Yorkshire. He played one Test, one T20I and five ODIs for them.

As of his retirement, Ballance has five Test hundreds to his name, the most recent (137 not out) coming in Zimbabwe’s only Test match.

“After much thought, I have decided to retire from all forms of professional cricket with immediate effect,” Ballance said in a statement issued by the Professional Cricketers’ Association.

After thanking Zimbabwe for giving him the chance to play at the highest level, the left-hander revealed he no longer had the desire to continue playing professional baseball.

“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.

“However, I have reached the stage where I no longer have the desire to dedicate myself to the rigours of professional sport and it would do Zimbabwe Cricket and the game itself a disservice, should I carry on. I wish them every success going forward,” Ballance added.

After making his debut in 2014, Ballance played 23 Tests for England, scoring 1498 runs, including four centuries and seven fifties. He won the County Championship with Yorkshire in 2014 and 2015.