Seika Sumi scored an astonishing 59 runs and took two wickets to lead the Pelicans to their first win in the J-BASH All-Stars series, earning the Player of the Match award for an excellent all-round display.

After winning the toss and choosing the bat, the Pandas hoped for big runs at the top of the order, but Ayumi Fujikawa had other ideas. With a new ball in hand, she restricted the batters to only three runs off her first over, leaving the batter’s itching for a run. With the pressure building, a miscommunication allowed the Pelicans to dismiss Yurika Kitamura in the third over. 

However, the Pandas took control as Kurumi Ota (57) compiled an excellent half century, including seven boundaries, in a well deserved partnership of 86 runs from 11.2 overs with Hinase Goto, who was later caught after drinks for 41. 

Returning after a year-long break from bowling, Sumi was unstoppable, dismissing both set batters, and eventually restricted the Panda’s to 134 for six from their 20 overs.

Sumi then decided she was going to lead the Pelicans to victory by with clean striking at the top of the order, her 59 coming from just 50 balls, keeping the Pandas on edge with her ability to pick out the gaps as she hit nine boundaries.  

The Pandas fought hard and took three wickets in a 26-ball spell that kept the game alive, but ultimately Akari Nishimura and Ayumi Fujikawa closed the innings chasing down the remaining two runs in the final over. 

The J-Bash All Stars have permanently relocated to the Sano International Cricket Ground for 2024 as the Pandas and Pelicans continue to clash head to head.