GSCA 2025-26: Ballard can finish season in style as Kendenup tackle favourites Broomehill in qualifying final

Broomehill Bandicoots, who topped the Great Southern Cricket Association’s Bendigo Bank Shield ladder, should start as favourites when they host their qualifying final against Kendenup on Saturday.

However, the Bandicoots, who led the regular-season table by five points at the end of the campaign, trail their rivals 2-1 in meetings this season after Kendenup registered wins in rounds 12 and 18.

And Kendenup, of course, can field the GSCA’s player of the season Seb Ballard, who has been monstrous with both bat and ball.

His tally for the contests leading up to the finals included 602 runs and 19 wickets — his best spell with the ball being his 4-18 against the Bandicoots, in round 12.

Also in Kendenup colours will be Beau Sobey, the young cricketer of the year, whose 19 scalps with the ball came at an average of 13.26.

Broomehill’s Max Jordison ran Ballard close in the cricketer of the year polling, coming in second just three votes adrift, while David Hinchliffe has hit a decent run of form, with 82 in his last outing against Katanning Wanderers being his best knock of the campaign.

Lewis Barritt will be a threat with the ball after taking 24 wickets at 14.64 across the season.

The elimination final the same day has Tambellup at home against Kojonup.

Tambellup brothers Devon and Flynn Cristinelli could prove double trouble after stellar seasons for both their club and the GSCA side at country week.

In Harry Taylor, however, the Cougars have a batter capable of scoring big and fast — as his 218 off 131 balls against Australs Lions proved.

The winner of the clash between Tambellup and Kojonup will travel on Sunday to whomever loses the qualifying final.

The winner of Sunday’s match will tackle the qualifying final victor in the season’s grand final showdown on March 14.