Off Ballance! England no.3 'reminded of responsibilities' after topless drunken night out post Nottingham Test

A picture of calmness and serenity, Gary Ballance was in an altogether different avatar after the Test ended

Zimbabawean-born England’s no.3 batsman Gary Ballance was ‘reminded of his responsibilities’ as a Test cricketer by the team management after images emerged of him drunk in a Nottingham night club with nothing above his waist, after the end of the first Test match at Trent Bridge on Sunday.

The images of Ballance, sans his shirt and and extremely drunk, were released by The Tab, a UK based national student website. The report quotes a punter saying that Ballance, in an extremely drunk state, shouted, “I’m not a cricketer tonight. I’m just a drunken bas***d. I’m absolutely fu***d!”

Ballance (L) at the night club. (Image courtesy: Tab)

The southpaw who bats at No. 3 for Englan in Tests, was in the company of his teammates Liam Plunkett, Joe Root and James Anderson at the club. The players were partying after the drawn Test against India.

The Harrow university pass out’s maiden Test hundred came against Sri Lanka at Lord’s last month, assuring England fans of a promising new era. But the wild images posted by Tab, portray a different picture from the serene and calm presence required on the crease. One doesn’t need to rack their brains much to remember English players’ drunk excapades either. Not long ago, England cricketers were accused for urinating on The Oval pitch after the Ashes win, after Monty Panesar urinated on bouncers in a club.

When the night ended, Ballance was so drunk, he had to be carried out of the club.

“They had to carry him out at the end of the night. He was standing outside with his top off screaming ‘England! England! England!” an eyewitness told Tab.

The person who spotted the batsman mentioned: “He made the evening. He tipped the bar staff £20 and was buying a few. He bought a round of six double vods and four Jägers for a few girls.

“A song came on and he clearly enjoyed it so he removed his top.”

Gary Ballance had to carried out of the night club at the end of the night.

The Yorkshire lad has represented Zimbabwe at the Under-19 level before switching loyalties to England. He has 4 Tests and 11 ODI appearance for the European side against his name.

Despite creating shockwaves in the middle of the important series, Ballance will not be having any problems for the 2nd Test against India at Lord’s on Thursday. England head coach Peter Moores termed the incident as “relaxing,” and said that the 24-year-old’s behaviour will not be a criteria for punishment since it came at a time when the players were free of their team duties.

“I am aware that some of the England players were caught on camera relaxing after the conclusion of the recent Trent Bridge Test match. As the players had been released at the end of the first Test and were not due to meet up to begin preparations for the second Test until Monday evening, and there were no suggestions of impropriety, there is no need for any disciplinary action.

‘‘I will, however, be reminding all players of their responsibilities to uphold the best possible image for England cricket,’’ said the coach.

With the controversy surrounding James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja in full swing, England would hope for no further distractions.