By Bibhash Dash
England captain Alastair Cook feels Gary Ballance completely deserves being named International Cricket Council emerging player of the year, and has backed the batsman to be hungrier than ever to regain his one-day international spot.
Ballance yesterday scooped the honour, capping a remarkable year in Tests that began with an Ashes appearance last winter.
The 24-year-old has scored 729 runs at an average of 60.75 in his first eight Tests for England, hitting his maiden Test hundred against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in June.
That century was backed up by two versus India, with the 156 at the Ageas Bowl a key turning-point in England’s 3-1 Investec series win.
Speaking of Ballance’s gong, Cook said: “The emerging player of the year is a fully justified title.
“Him and Joe Root have been outstanding for us as a batting unit in Test cricket. With Gary, we used to talk with Peter Moores about who was going to bat at three.
“For a guy to take up that challenge, having never batted there before, and pass with flying colours is a real testament to him.
“He’s obviously a fantastic player. To me it’s his character and his determination to do well. He knows his method.”
Ballance narrowly missed out on a spot on the England squad to tour Sri Lanka, and will instead be part of the England Lions party heading to South Africa early next year.
Cook is confident Ballance will be hungry to prove his worth to the 50-over side after a year that saw him score two ODI half-centuries, against Australia and Sri Lanka respectively.
“He’ll probably be hurting that he‘s not in the one-day squad,” Cook said. “But that’s what you want; you want people who are desperate to get back.
“But in terms of his year, it’s been fantastic to see a person grow like he has done and score the runs he has.
“I’ll never forget the way he got to the hundred (at Lord’s, with a six over midwicket) against Sri Lanka – a lot of people will remember that.”