![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/02\/IMG_5436_03301.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Max came to the crease and he attempted to give Param the strike at every opportunity as he continued to display great shot selection in their 64 run partnership.<\/p>\n
Max unfortunately had to go when he was on 44 off 36 balls (7 fours, 1 six) as he caught his glove on a sweep-shot to the North Ballarat Captain, and the ball found the wickets around his legs behind him.<\/p>\n
Josh came out and he and Param shared a zero-run partnership as his dad followed Max back to the changerooms 2 balls later, finishing on a fantastic 117 off 100 balls (19 fours, 3 sixes) being caught behind.<\/p>\n
Jake joined Josh and the two middle-order batters played conservatively before expanding their selected shots to ensure Ballan finished on a great score.<\/p>\n
Josh finishing on 23 not out (3 fours) and Jake finishing on 15 not out (1 four) to find Ballan ending their innings on 4\/302.<\/p>\n
Feeling confident to defend the target score, Ballan commenced their bowling with Matt Ayres and John Costello.<\/p>\n
Matt was very unlucky not to have a wicket first ball after a diving slips catch was put down by the captain at 1st slip.<\/p>\n
Both Matt and John copped some short shrift from the North Ballarat import who quickly raced to his 50 with some lovely shots through the infield and some brutal shots over the boundary for six.<\/p>\n
One shot sending Gussy on a marathon to retrieve the ball on the outer of the Ballan Recreation Reserve fencing.<\/p>\n
John finally got his man when Matt Shugg held onto a high chance at deep long on as a huge shot into the wind did not carry, ending his innings on 58 with 10 fours and 2 sixes.<\/p>\n
With the danger-man out, Ballan went to work with the ball after both John and Matt bowled their 8 overs straight.<\/p>\n
Param and Michael Vallance were introduced and this is where the game turned dramatically in the space of 5 balls.<\/p>\n
KB, brought all his class and instinct to the table – capturing 2 wickets with his first 2 balls of the match – a catch and a bowled.<\/p>\n
After a dramatic field set up for the hat-trick didn’t assist, KB waited for another ball before claiming his 3rd wicket with his 5th ball courtesy of another catch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A dot rounded out the over to leave him with 3\/1 off his first over.<\/p>\n KB’s second over saw a wicket fall on the 2nd delivery as he sent the North Ballarat Captain back to the pavilion, removing his middle stump with a classic slower-ball that decieved perfectly. 4\/3 off 2 overs.<\/p>\n KB’s third over was a maiden as North Ballarat played cautiously, showing the deference and respect he so muchly deserved.<\/p>\n In the middle of all the excitement, KB decided to get in on Param’s bowling with some superb fielding that brought about a runout to the bowler’s end during the next over. A brilliant throw from mid-wicket to Param and a great runout to further our day in the field.<\/p>\n Two balls later Param claimed Ballan’s 8th wicket, clean bowling the batter.<\/p>\n Heading into the 28th over, KB was looking for his elusive 5th wicket. Once again, it was the first ball of the over as it thundered into the batters pads, trapping him plum dead in front. The umpire raised his finger and Michael Vallance had 5\/23 in his fifth over.<\/p>\n Gussy, Clark(e) and Gazza – Mr. Sinfield, all had a bowl to offer vital support to KB who was revved up, and on a high as he continued to place pressure on the North Ballarat batting order, despite a lofty 6 being hit off him in an attempt to ruin his figures.<\/p>\n Thirty-two overs in and KB picked up the last wicket to be found, caught behind by Josh with a wonderful dive to his right in front of first slip.<\/p>\n The elation and group celebration for KB was immense and the joy flowed to all his teammates.<\/p>\n KB had 33 dot balls in his 7.3 overs, along with 6 wickets. Simply Amazing.<\/p>\n Huge shout out to Chris for joining in on the field and also to Summer and Cass for getting some photos in his absence from the sidelines. Thank you.<\/p>\n The Ballan 2nd XI have sealed a place in the finals. Next week we take on last year’s premiers Lucas, up in Ballarat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MAX BURTON Ballan 4\/302 defeated North Ballarat 123 Ballan P Singh 117 M Ayres 63 M Burton 44 North Ballarat 123 M Vallance 6\/23 off 7.3 overs J Costello 2\/39 off 8 overs P Singh 1\/10 off 4 overs NORTH Ballarat won the toss and sent Ballan in to bat on a warm day at […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/02\/IMG_5720_03310.jpg\")