GARY Ballance admitted his disappointment at missing out on the England Test squad to take on Pakistan but is looking forward to some time off over the winter months.

The Zimbabwe-born batsman made 55 – his third score in excess of 50 since being dropped by England in July – as Yorkshire ended the opening day of their final County Championship match of the season against Sussex on 241-7.

But that has not been enough to earn a recall for the tour of the United Arab Emirates, with Nottinghamshire batsman James Taylor preferred in the 16-man squad.

And Ballance, who has previously spent winters with the Mid West Rhinos in Zimbabwe, is looking forward to some time away from the game ahead of the 2016 campaign.

He said: "I'm very disappointed (to miss out on the Pakistan tour). I've come back to Yorkshire and tried to do everything I can to score runs.

"I've had some good knocks but that's obviously how it goes. It gives me some time to have off, clear my head and start afresh with Yorkshire over the winter.

"I've been working on a few things with some guys but it's all about getting some time off now. It's been five or six years of busy winters, so it will be good to recharge the batteries."

Ballance's innings was the stand-out one for the White Rose county at Headingley, having been invited to bat by Sussex skipper Ed Joyce.

The hosts lost Adam Lyth (3) in the fourth over of the day as he was adjudged leg before off the bowling of Chris Jordan, before Ballance and Alex Lees added 52 for the second wicket.

Lees eventually departed for 29 as Lewis Hatchett trapped him lbw – but that only moved to hasten the scoring as captain Andrew Gale looked to carry on where he left off against Hampshire last week.

The left-hander made a match-winning century on the final day at the Ageas Bowl and continued to appear in fine fettle while hitting six boundaries before the lunch break.

Gale and Ballance shared a stand of 51 from just 57 balls prior to the interval, although their partnership was ended just eight balls into the afternoon session as Gale (31) chopped onto his own stumps off the bowling of Steve Magoffin.

Jonny Bairstow then edged through to wicketkeeper Ben Brown off the same bowler for just a single to leave the Tykes on 108-4, although Ballance was able to bring up his half-century at the other end from 114 deliveries.

But after a short rain delay, the former Derbyshire man cut Chris Liddle straight to Joyce at point before a further showers brought about an early tea and extended delay which saw 18 overs lost from the day.

On resumption, Adil Rashid played with freedom as he shared in a stand of 72 with Jack Leaning (36) before the latter edged Hatchett to Jordan at first slip.

Rashid (53) was able to complete his own half-century but edged Liddle behind in the penultimate over of the day, leaving Tim Bresnan and Liam Plunkett as the not out batsmen overnight.