Gary Ballance is hoping the influence of a former Yorkshire favourite can help him make the grade as a county cricketer.

The 20-year-old left-handed batsman is brushing security issues aside to return to Zimbabwe, the country of his birth, this winter to play for the Mid West Rhinos, a franchise coached by ex-Tyke Jason Gillespie.

Ballance travels to the troubled African country on Thursday for a winter of first-class cricket as he looks to force his way into York-shire’s first team plans in the future.

“I have no concerns at all about the security,” he said. “I have been over to Zim-babwe on a number of occasions since moving to England, and there is nothing to worry about.

“Andrew Gale and Martyn Moxon have asked about security, but they are really happy that I’m going.

“I will be back immediately if anything does happen, but I’m not worrying.”

Ballance, the nephew of ex-Zimbabwe international David Houghton, will add to his current tally of four first-class, five List A and three Twenty20 matches this winter.

He continued: “My uncle spoke to me a couple of months ago and asked if I wanted to go over as an overseas player.

“Apparently the standard of first-class cricket is really good, so I jumped at the chance.

“It is a good chance for me to go back and play some cricket as well as see my parents, who live over there still.

“This is a big chance for me to prove myself as a first-class cricket player. I can really work on my game for five months, which has to be a good thing.

“Jason Gillespie is the coach of my team, and a few Zimbabwe internationals play for them too.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge – and, as an overseas player, I know the pressure will be on me.

“I played against ‘Dizzy’ once – for Derbyshire – and he got me out. It will be great for me to have that Yorkshire connection.”

Ballance scored one hundred and eight half-centuries for Yorkshire’s second team this summer.

He played one LV= County Championship match against Somerset, two first-class friendlies against Loughbor-ough University and India A and three Friends Provident Twenty20 matches.

He added: “I’m very positive that I can play at this level and, hopefully, I can show that in Zimbabwe.”

Nottinghamshire all-rounder Paul Franks will play alongside Ballance for the Rhinos.