Ballan Cricket Club

Results – Day 1 of 2-day matches

Ballan 1st XI (BCA 2nd Grade)
Ballan 205 v Burumbeet 1/12 (Day 1)
Batting – Matt Thomas 53, David Gardner 40, Jack Jarvis 39

Ballan won the toss and chose to bat against Burrumbeet for the East-West Shield.

The team got off to a solid start with contributions from Mark Kennedy (24) and Micky Nolan (15) before both fell in quick succession leaving the score at 4/44. Thanks to another great partnership from Matt Thomas (53) and Jack Jarvis (39) they fought their way back into the game with some great late order hitting from David Gardiner, who managed 40 from only 37 balls. Ballan finished all out for 205 with 10 overs to bowl at the end of the day.

A great bowling spell from Kobe Heafield helped snag an early wicket leaving Burrumbeet 1/12 at the end of the first days play, a solid day for the boys with a big effort required next week to grab the victory and keep the shield.

Ballan 2nd XI (BCA 4th grade)
Ballan 5/143 v Wendouree 2/159

Bowling – Sarah Burton 5-1-1-12, Jake Wernicke 7-1-1-31
Batting – Param Singh 53, John Costello 26, Ryan Lister 19

Wendouree won the toss and elected to bat at Ballan Recreation Reserve.

Young-gun Jake Wernicke and elder statesman David Leach were brought into the attack to try and capture a wicket. The results were immediate as the scoring rate dipped and new measures in the field were applied to the openers. Jake produced two chances that could not be held onto unfortunately and the Wendouree batters became quite cautious in their shot selection, waiting for the bad ball to come along.

Ballan picked up its first wicket in the 18th over with the score on 77 as Jake got the older Haydon to hit to deep mid-wicket. James Somers took a difficult, but brilliant catch right on the boundary line.

Sarah came on to bowl and immediately put even more pressure on the Wendouree strike rate. Starting with a maiden, her five overs went for only 12 runs, with plenty of wicket opportunities presenting themselves, but not going to hand. She eventually picked up her first senior wicket in her fifth over of one of the three Steenhuis’ family members playing, Ally – who was caught by Michael Vallance at mid-on.

At the split of innings, Wendouree were 2/159.

Ballan opened with John and Param who forged a fantastic opening stand, the best for Ballan all season. Both batters were selective with their shot making and really made the bowlers work hard. They both brought up multiple boundaries – John 4 fours, and Param 7 fours in their 90-run partnership before John was caught for 26 off Ally Steenhuis.

James Somers came to the crease and together, he and Param upped the strike rate with a quick 18 run partnership that included a four from James, and 2 fours and 2 sixes from Param. James was dismissed by the team of two Steenhuis’, with Ally picking up her 2nd wicket.

Ryan joined to bat, getting off the mark with a six and following this up with 2 fours.

After a great innings, Param was next to go.

After a 15 run partnership Ryan was caught at deep mid-wicket.

David Leach at number 7 and Max Burton held on and fought until the day’s close of play.

** The match currently sits with Ballan 16 runs behind in the first innings.
Day 2 – this Saturday at Ballan Recreation Reserve.