The Japan Premier League returns this weekend on Sunday 23rd July with four big matches taking place in two different locations.

Yokohama Country & Athletic Club (YCAC) will host their annual tie, this year between home side and defending champions South Kanto Super Kings as they meet the team top of the table, West Kanto Hurricanes.

Bracefield – Runs in Round One

Both teams won their first two matches comfortably and wins in Round Two will go a long way to securing them a place in the Grand Final at the end of the season. Raheel Kano and Richard Bracefield were the outstanding batters for both teams in Round One, while  Sabaorish Ravichandran and Shodai Yamada were the leading bowlers.

The Sano International Cricket Ground (SICG) will host its final matches of the season before undergoing maintenance, with North Kanto Lions aiming to bounce back against East Kanto Sunrisers; neither team managed a win in Round One.

Supun Nawarathna will carry the Lions hopes with the bat, while Dhugal Bedingfield will hope to fire after a disappointing first outing. Neither side managed to impress with their bowling in their last matches, so each will hope to have players taking responsibility this time.

The matches at the SICG will be live streamed on “Abema FRESH!” and, technology permitting, all matches will be scored live on CricHQ. We hope people will make the effort to come and support their local region in these matches, but those unable to should be able to follow all the action live from wherever they are. Do check the JCA Twitter feed for updates as well.

Good Luck to all teams.