Gary Ballance missed out on a valuable 50 in Yorkshire’s friendly against Loughborough MCCU at Headingley today.

The 20-year-old left-hander, who hit an entertaining 43 off 55 balls, accepts the need for patience as he seeks a first-team place but said: “If the opportunity comes my way, I’ve got to be ready.

“Games like these provide you with a good opportunity to show what you can do. It was a good knock but it was just a shame I got a nick.”

Ballance, who had to wait until 2pm to begin his innings because of wet weather, notched seven fours and a six.

But the Zimbabwe-born player was kicking himself when he edged Peter Groves to wicketkeeper David Murphy.

Rich Pyrah and Gerard Brophy later added 65 and 62 not out respectively as Yorkshire closed the day on 218 for three from 64 overs.

“It was quite tough early on because the ball was seaming around,” continued left-hander Ballance, who looked good square of the wicket.

“I need to kick on and get a few big scores because everybody at the club is going well.”

Pyrah and Brophy also pushed their first-team claims with contrasting half-centuries. Pyrah hit six fours and a pulled six in a 69-ball 50, while Brophy reached his 50 off 113 balls.

They put on an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 120 in 28 overs after Yorkshire had been reduced to 98 for three just after tea.

The students started well on a wicket providing some assistance, with Joe Root trapped lbw by Gavin Baker.

Fellow first-class Tykes debutant Callum Geldart, a stylish left-hander in Yorkshire’s Academy, fell in identical fashion to Ballance for 17.

Also making his debut was Bradford-born pace bowler Moin Ashraf.