Ballan First XI clinches Grand Final victory

Ballan First XI (Ballarat Cricket Association Second Grade Division 1)

Grand Final Winners

Ballan 199 def Wendouree 152 at C. E. Brown Reserve, Wendouree

Batting – Hayden Micallef 39*, Mark Kennedy 35, Jack Jarvis 26, Daniel Pascoe 24

Bowling – Hayden Micallef 26-10-6-38, Michael Snaith 19.2-8-2-27, Lachie Snaith 20-9-1-29

Skipper Hayden Micallef won the toss and elected to bat. It was a tricky start as Jack McGregor and Mark Kennedy opened up.

Jack (7) was dismissed after the boys put 20 on the board, then Lach Snaith (0) got a seed that flicked the off stump. Partnerships after a shaky start becoming more and more important, although Mike Snaith (0) snicked off, he was around long enough with Mark to add 18 to the total.

At 3/39 Jack Jarvis came to the crease. Mark and Jack dug deep through a tricky patch adding another 39 to the total till Mark (35) was caught. Jack (26) was dismissed shortly after, as Ryan Lister and skipper Hayden then started to get going.

Ryan played some ridiculously good shots with Hayden pushing it around at the other end before Ryan (23) was caught. Hayden was determined as ever, anchoring the lower order, David (9) and Brady (10) added important runs both with gritty partnership, until Daniel Pascoe arrived and played an incredibly impressive and important innings, as Hayden started to play his shots and put the pressure back onto a reactive Wendouree.

The field spread and the boys took the total up to what seemed an unlikely figure at the start of the day. A 45-run partnership bringing the total to 9/191 as Daniel (24) was bowled. H took the chance to free his arms a couple more times before Eli (0) was bowled, Ballan were all out for 199 after 63 overs and Hayden was unbeaten on a brilliantly constructed and important 39* which set the target to 200.

Ballan had then 14 overs at Wendouree on Saturday arvo, keeping them to less than 2 an over and H picking up a wicket as a result of a sharp catch by Jack Jarvis.

Wendouree were 1/26 overnight, game feeling in the balance. Pace off seemed like the way to go on a pretty lifeless pitch, with so many LBW shouts not going our way.

It wasn’t until Micheal Snaith finally got an LBW after numerous shouts in a row. This started the first collapse, at 2/60, Eli again executed a phenomenal runout, Jack McGregor proved again he’s the best keeper in the BCA with an inhuman leg side stumping off Hayden’s bowling, and Hayden then backing that up with a ball that stayed low smashing the Wendouree batsmen in front.

Suddenly the game was heating up, Wendouree 5/71, and Ballan with their tails up. Young Skinner and Wong batted well for Wendouree, although slowly, they batted for 27 overs for a partnership of 41, before Wong was dismissed in the 63rd over, LBW by Michael Snaith.

Wendouree 6/112, and scoreboard pressure now started to rise, Lachie Snaith finally got some reward for his tight lines snicking off Wendouree’s keeper. Hayden continuing his ridiculously good form with the ball dismissing Skinner, with a “screamer” by Ryan Lister, backing up the wicket with a first ball LBW, picking up his 5th for the match and Wendouree’s 9th, leaving with 9/143.

The skipper Hayden, on his last legs, and deservingly battled through his last overs until he got one to shoot dismissing Wendouree’s opening bowler LBW. Hayden finished with an unbelievable 6-38 off 26 overs, collapsing on the pitch, it was stacks on, Wendouree all out for 152.

Ballan Premiers season 2023/2024! The skipper leading the way, every player contributing something special to the game, it was a performance that reflected our small club so perfectly, and meant so much to so many.

Thanks to the incredible support that turned out over the weekend and all the messages from those tuning in or keeping an eye on the result. We’re going to celebrate this one hard, and be back for another next season!

Under 11s (last games)

U11 Ballan Blue Bushwackers Match Report

Ballan 3/57 v Coronet 4/70

Another great game played tonight by the Ballan Bushwackers at our home ground against a very highly skilled Coronet opposition, we were asked to bowl first and we bowled and fielded extremely well, when it was our turn to bat every player gave it their very best.

It has been an amazing 23/24 cricket season for our U11 juniors, and to see their cricket skills come along in leaps and bounds has been an absolute joy for all of us to be part of, this season has been a huge team effort.

Every kid and adult deserve a massive pat on the back for all the efforts! Looking forward to celebrating and awarding our kids on presentation night for the 23/24 season!

U11 Ballan White Wallabies Match Report

Ballan White 9/91 GPCC 5/93

For today’s game the Wallabies started by bowling. All players were very enthusiastic with plenty of great fielding on a quick outfield at Sparrow Ground.

Some very good bowling led to a few wickets in succession, which was backed up with brilliant keeping behind the stumps resulting in a stumping and a run out. With the bat all players did an amazing effort with runs shared all around, some taking advantage of the fast outfield.

With coach Marty missing in action, a big thank you to Kori who stepped into umpire and instruct the players on the field, and to Kate for scoring the game. Thank you to all parents that brought the kids up to this game and each game throughout the season.

Saving the best to last, thanks to all the players. It has been a joy to watch from the sidelines as you all came and played as a team and had fun! Look forward to seeing you all back playing again at Ballan next year.