All You Need to Know: WJPL|02

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The Women’s Japan Premier League is back for 2024, with even more cricket this year!

Our two teams, Eastern Waves and Western Eagles are facing off once again in a series of matches across six days (May 14th – May 19th). With five T10 matches providing the introduction before the three match T20 contest. 

Not only will our Japanese players be playing, but thanks to our partnerships with the Titans in South Africa and Sri Lanka Cricket, we are able to welcome two players from each of those nations while also welcoming two players each from our EAP rivals Indonesia and Vanuatu. Finally, we have two players from Australia returning for a second year, you’ll be able to see them all in action everyday and even get to meet a few players along the way. 

All our matches will be live-streamed on the Japan Cricket Association YouTube channel.

Come on down to the Sano International Cricket Ground (SICG) to watch the best of the best face off with each other to see who will be the champions for 2024. 

If you’re a viewer from 2023, welcome back and if you’re new, welcome to the JCA family, check out the highlights from 2023 as well as the full squads and match schedule which are listed below. Who are you supporting??

Match Schedule

  • T10 Game 1：Tuesday 14th May, 14:00
  • T10 Game 2：Wednesday 15th May, 10:00
  • T10 Game 3：Wednesday 15th May, 14:00
  • T10 Game 4：Thursday 16th May, 10:00
  • T10 Game 5：Thursday 16th May, 14:00
  • T20 Game 1：Friday 17th May, 10:00
  • T20 Game 2：Saturday 18th May, 10:00
  • T20 Game 3：Sunday 19th May, 10:00

Squad List


Eastern Waves

  • Ahilya Chandel (C)
  • Jess Adams (Australia)
  • Kiyo Fujikawa
  • Haruna Iwasaki
  • Elena Kusuda-Nairn
  • Akari Nishimura
  • Meg Ogawa
  • Kurumi Ota
  • Selina Solman (Vanuatu)
  • Seika Sumi
  • Erika Toguchi-Quinn
  • Christelle Van der Schyff (South Africa)
  • Piumi Wathhsala (Sri Lanka)
  • Maria Corazon Wombaki (Indonesia)
  • Mai Yanagida

Reserves

  • Ikuho Kakinuma
  • Rino Morita


Western Eagles

  • Erika Oda (C)
  • Rachel Andrew (Vanuatu)
  • Anjali Ekanayake
  • Emmerson Filsell (Australia)
  • Ayumi Fujikawa
  • Hinase Goto
  • Palak Gundecha
  • Ayaka Kanada
  • Ishu Karunarathna
  • Shimako Kato
  • Paulinah Mashishi (South Africa)
  • Shrunali Ranade
  • Nanda Sakarini (Indonesia)
  • Sathya Sandeepani (Sri Lanka)
  • Nonoha Yasumoto

Reserves

  • Ayumi Doi
  • Mamta Kaswan

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Japan Defeat Mongolia 6-0

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Japan completed a 6-0 series win against Mongolia with a 157-run win in the final match at the Sano International Cricket Ground on Sunday 12th May.

Japan won the toss yet again and chose to bat first, with Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake finding some form on his way to 80 from 40 balls. Upon his dismissal Koji Hardgrave-Abe took up the mantle, but fell short of a second half century of the series when he was dismissed for 49 from 23 balls.

Mongolia showed more ambition in the chase than in previous matches, and were rewarded with their highest T20 International score, dismissed for 75 in the 17th over.

There was also a moment of celebration for Makoto Taniyama, who took his 50th international wicket on the way to figures of three for 13, and is now second on the list of all time wicket-takers for the Men’s Japan National Team.

The improvement of the Mongolia team across the series was noted in the post match presentations where Yamamoto-Lake received the player of the match award, before the management of each team chose a player of the series from the other team.

For Japan, Charlie Hinze took home the award thanks to 13 wickets across the series, finishing as the leading wicket-taker on either side, while Mongolia captain Luvsanzundui Erdenebulgan finished second on that list with 11 wickets and was chosen by the Japan coaches.

The Japan Cricket Association would like to extend our thanks to the Mongolia Cricket Association for travelling to Japan and taking part in this first ever bilateral series between the two nations. Before this week the Men’s Mongolia National Team had only played two matches, and we hope the experience gained across this series helps accelerate their development in the future.

Match Summary:

  • Match 7: Japan, 232/5 (L.Yamamoto-Lake, 80) beat Mongolia 75/10 (Taniyama 3/13), by 157 runs

Highlights:

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Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

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Japan Secure Series Victory Over Mongolia

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Sabaorish Ravichandran inspired Japan to two wins on the penultimate day of the series against Mongolia, and ensured an unassailable 5-0 lead after six matches.

Beginning the day 3-0 with three more to play, Ravichandran made 64 as Japan posted 223 for seven. Although the Mongolians showed plenty of flight, left-arm spinner Charlie Hinze proved too much for half their batting order, taking a career best five wickets for just six runs as Mongolia were all out for 43.

That meant a win by 180 runs and the series victory, but Japan maintained their momentum in the afternoon.

Batting first for the fifth match out of six, Ravichandran again lead the way with 86 not out, this time well supported by morning debutant Alester Kadowaki-Fleming who made 65 not out in an unbroken stand of 138.

A final total of 216 for three always looked beyond the Mongolians, but they showed continued improvement as they again dug in and managed to bat out the overs for the first time in the series, finishing 58 for nine as Japan won by 158 runs.

Match Summaries

  • Match 5: Japan, 223/7 (Ravichandran 64, L.Yamamoto-Lake 44, Erdenebulgan 3/32) beat Mongolia, 43/10 (Hinze 5/6) by 180 runs.
  • Match 6: Japan 216/3 (Ravichandran 86*, A. Kadowaki-Fleming 65*), beat Mongolia, 58/9 by 158 runs.

Remaining Fixture: 

  • Match 7: Sunday 12th May, 11:00

Highlights

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Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

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Japan Take 3-0 Lead vs Mongolia

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Japan won the fourth T20 International against Mongolia by ten wickets on the reserve day at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

Upon winning the toss Mongolia chose to bat for the first time in the series.

The Japanese bowlers quickly ran through the batting order, with seven of the eight taking wickets as they bowled Mongolia all out for just 26 in 15.2 overs.

Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake then made short work of the target, finishing 18 not out as Japan passed the target in the second over with 112 balls remaining, making it the second fastest victory in terms of balls remaining in the history of T20 International Cricket.

Makoto Taniyama was named MVP for taking two wickets without conceding a run across two overs.

Match Summary

  • Match 4: Mongolia, 26/10 lost to Japan 27/0, by ten wickets.

Remaining Fixtures: 

  • Match 5: Saturday 11th May, 09:30
  • Match 6: Saturday 11th May, 14:00
  • Match 7: Sunday 12th May, 11:00

Highlights:

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Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

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Player Added to Japan Team for Mongolia Matches

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The Japan Men’s Selectors have chosen to add Alester Kadowaki-Fleming to the team for the three matches against Mongolia this weekend. 

The Chiba Sharks batter is called up following his strong showing in the Japan Premier League and will hope to make his first appearances for Japan in the three remaining matches.  

He replaces his brother Kendel, who is unavailable due to other commitments. The team will be captained by Reo Sakurano-Thomas. 

The full squad team is now: 

  • Koji Hardgrave-Abe (Sano Cricket Club)
  • Charles Hinze (University of Queensland Cricket Club)
  • Benjamin Ito-Davis (Chiba Sharks Cricket Club)
  • Alester Kadowaki-Fleming (Chiba Sharks Cricket Club)*
  • Kazuma Kato-Stafford (Akishima Aviators Cricket Club)
  • Kohei Kubota (Wyverns Cricket Club / Keio University Knights Cricket Club)
  • Wataru Miyauchi (Wyverns Cricket Club)
  • Sabaorish Ravichandran (Tigers Cricket Club)
  • Reo Sakurano-Thomas (Sano Cricket Club)
  • Abdul Samad (Wombats Cricket Club / Kobe Hawks Cricket Club)*
  • Alexander Shirai-Patmore (Tokyo Wombats Cricket Club)
  • Declan Suzuki-McComb (Sano Cricket Club)
  • Ibrahim Takahashi (Chiba Sharks Cricket Club)
  • Makoto Taniyama (Sano Cricket Club / Osaka Raiders Cricket Club)
  • Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake (Sano Cricket Club)
  • Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake (Sano Cricket Club)

*Yet to represent Japan at senior level

The remaining match schedule is below and we wish the team the best of luck. 

  • Match 4: Friday 10th May, 14:00 (rescheduled)
  • Match 5: Saturday 11th May, 09:30
  • Match 6: Saturday 11th May, 14:00
  • Match 7: Sunday 12th May, 11:00

All matches will be live streamed with both Japanese and English Commentary on the Japan Cricket YouTube page, so make sure you subscribe to avoid missing out! .

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Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

Japan Lead Mongolia 2-0 After Weather Forces Abandonment

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Japan moved to a 2-0 lead in the series against Mongolia thanks to some superb seam bowling by youngster Kazuma Kato-Stafford.

After a second career best in as many days from Sabaorish Ravichandran, who struck 69 from 39 balls to lead Japan to a total of 217 for seven, the left-arm seamer struck with the first ball of the defence and never looked back.

He finished with impressive figures of five for just seven runs as Mongolia were dismissed for just 12 to give Japan a win by 205 runs.

In the afternoon it was the turn of another member of the 2023 Under 19 side to come good, as Koji Hardgrave-Abe hit the highest score of the series so far.

As Japan batted first for the third time in succession, Hardgrave-Abe struck a 34-ball 80 in a partnership of 131 with Benjamin Ito-Davis (47), who had become the 108th person to represent Japan in the morning match.

After posting a score of 253 for four the team were confident of a third victory only for the rain to set in just nine-balls into the second innings causing the match to be abandoned.

Match Summary

  • Match 2: Japan, 217/7 (K.Kadowaki-Fleming 32, Ravichandran 69, Takahashi 31, Shurentsetsag 3/32) beat Mongolia, 12/10 (Kato-Stafford 5/7) by 205 runs.
  • Match 3: Japan, 253/4 (K.Kadowaki-Fleming 45, Miyauchi 34, Hardgrave-Abe 80, Ito-Davis 47), drew with Mongolia, 4/1 with match abandoned due to rain.

Remaining Fixtures: 

  • Match 4: Thursday 9th May, 11:00
  • Match 5: Saturday 11th May, 09:30
  • Match 6: Saturday 11th May, 14:00
  • Match 7: Sunday 12th May, 11:00

Highlights

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Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

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Miyauchi Best Gives Japan 1-0 Series Lead vs Mongolia

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A career best 72 off 54 balls from Wataru Miyauchi helped set up a 166-run win for Japan in the first of the seven-match series against Mongolia.

Winning the toss and batting first, captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (41 off 36 balls) played second fiddle in a partnership of 118 with Miyauchi before Sabaorish Ravichandran struck a rapid 54 from 24 balls to join Miyauchi in making a career-best international score.

There were positives for Mongolia with captain Luvsanzundui Erdenebulgan taking three for 34 from his four overs, although Japan’s 199 for five always looked a tall order for the visitors.

It proved as much, and with rain threatening to come down the Japanese bowlers were able to take wickets regularly, Charlie Hinze having his best day in a Japan shirt picking up four wickets for just four runs.

There were Japanese debuts for Abdul Samad and Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake, who both marked the occasion with a wicket apiece.

The teams will return to the Sano International Cricket Ground tomorrow to play a double header with matches starting at 09:30 and 14:00.

Match Summary

  • Japan, 199/5 (Miyauchi 72, Ravichandran 54, Erdenebulgan 3/34) beat Mongolia, 33/10 (Hinze 4/4) by 166 runs.

Remaining Fixtures

  • Match 2: Wednesday 8th May, 09:30
  • Match 3: Wednesday 8th May, 14:00
  • Match 4: Thursday 9th May, 11:00
  • Match 5: Saturday 11th May, 09:30
  • Match 6: Saturday 11th May, 14:00
  • Match 7: Sunday 12th May, 11:00

Highlights

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Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

Title: Guinness Book of Records Approves Japanese World Record

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The recent World Record partnership of 258* between Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records (TM). 

To mark the recognition, a small presentation ceremony will be conducted on Monday 6th May at the Sano International Cricket Ground at 12:30 where the players will receive their certificates.

The record is listed as the: “Highest partnership for any wicket in a T20 International (male)” was set in February in an East Asia Cup match against China. 

Key details: 

  • Guinness World Records: “Highest partnership for any wicket in a T20 International (male)” (258 runs)
  • Record Holders: Japan’s men’s national team players Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake
  • Date of Record: February 15, 2024 (Men’s East Asia Cup: Japan vs. China)
  • Location: Mission Road Cricket Ground (Hong Kong)

[Player profiles]

Kadowaki-Fleming, Kendel

  • Age: 28
  • Playing style: left-hand batter
  • Club: Chiba Sharks Cricket Club
  • First selection for Japan national team: 2022
  • Match appearances: 24
  • Total Runs to date: 950

Yamamoto-Lake, Lachlan

  • Age: 21
  • Playing style: right-hand batter
  • Club: Sano Cricket Club
  • First selection for Japan national team: 2022
  • Match appearances: 24
  • Total Runs to date: 505

List of highest T20 International (Men’s) Partnerships:

Japan vs. China scorecard:

Japan vs. China match video:

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Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JPL IX: Sunrisers Celebrate Third JPL Title

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The East Kanto Sunrisers won their third Japan Premier League title thanks to an inspired performance from Ibrahim Takahashi as they sunk the South Kanto Super Kings. 

Captaining the team for the first time, Takahashi played a major role in getting his team to the final by dismissing the dangerous Josh Brown of the Kansai Chargers on the way to a crushing seven-wicket win to book their place in the Sunday showpiece.

However, it was in the main event that he really took charge, firstly taking four wickets for just seven runs to restrict the Super Kings to 99 for nine from their 20 overs. 

He then came to the crease with the team wobbling at 54 for five and struck a nerveless 32 not out to ease his team home by five wickets. 

The Kansai Chargers defeat in the morning meant they finished third on the table and would take on North Kanto Lions in the playoff for third place where Abdul Samad warmed up for his expected international debut next week with a virtuoso performance of his own. 

Batting first he top scored with a run-a-ball 31 to take the Chargers to 141 for eight, before taking three for 27 to keep the Lions to 131 for nine meaning a 10-run win and a best ever finish for the Chargers since they joined the competition.

In a day for JPL captains, Sabaorish Ravichandran struck a 33-ball 53 to give the Super Kings a seven-wicket win over the West Kanto Hurricanes and consign the 2023 Champions to a winless 2024 tournament and the wooden spoon. 

The JCA would like to formally thank all the umpires, scores, coaches, commentators, ground staff and a special thanks to Assistant Tournament Referee Pruthviraj Madineni for his efforts across the three days.  

Match Summaries: 

  • Kansai Chargers, 111/8 lost to East Kanto Sunrisers, 115/3 (K.Kadowaki-Fleming 59) by 7 wickets.
  • South Kanto Super Kings, 123/3 (Ravichandran 53), beat West Kanto Hurricanes, 122/6 (L. Yamamoto-Lake 49, Kalia 33) by 7 wickets.

3rd Place Playoff:

  • Kansai Chargers, 141/8 (Samad 31, Suzuki 30, K.Hiratsuka 3/17) beat North Kanto Lions, 131/9 (Kulasooriya 30, Samad 3/27) by 10 runs). 

Grand Final: 

  • East Kanto Sunrisers, 102/5 (Takahashi 32*, Ravichandran 3/13), beat South Kanto Super Kings, 99/9 (Takahashi 4/7) by 5 wickets. 

Highlights:

Individual Awards:

  • Best Batter: Josh Brown (233 runs, strike rate 202.61)
  • Best Bowler: Ibrahim Takahashi (9 wickets, economy rate 5.08)
  • Player of the Tournament: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (207 runs, strike rate 164.29 &  1 wicket economy rate 6.50)

Final Standings:

  1. East Kanto Sunrisers
  2. South Kanto Super Kings
  3. Kansai Chargers
  4. North Kanto Lions
  5. West Kanto Hurricanes

JPL IX: Three Teams Battle to Reach Final

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In a day of drama, intrigue and more explosive hitting at the Sano International Cricket Ground, three teams are left with a chance to make the JPL Grand Final tomorrow afternoon.

East Kanto Sunrisers arrived this morning with two wins from two and knowing that a win against North Kanto Lions would almost certainly be enough to book their place in the final, only for the game of the tournament to unfold. 

Batting first the Lions made a steady start as Kawshan Kulasooriya (49) and Ghufran Mir (28) but on 78 for the first wicket before the Sunrisers off-spinners wreaked havoc.

Ibby Takahashi (two for 28) started things off before Ash Thurgate took five for 28 to restrict the Lions to a very chasable 135 for eight. 

The defence started well for the Lions as Nikhil Pol was removed in the first over, but Abhishek Anand enjoyed himself to the tune of 51 from 45 balls but even with his dismissal the Sunrisers were in the box seat with ten runs needed from 11 balls with five wickets in hand. 

What happened next will go down in JPL history, as Zubair Khan bowled an incredible penultimate over, dismissing Tsuyoshi Takada with his second ball before effecting two run outs and only conceding four from the over. 

With seven needed off the final over, Reo Sakurano-Thomas started with a wide then dismissed Thurgate leaving the Sunrisers nine down. Two needed off the final ball Ben Ito-Davis (43) could not quite get it done leaving the scores tied and the points shared. 

That left the Sunrisers on five points and nervously watching the afternoon fixtures due to their bye in Round Four. 

Over on SICG at the same time the South Kanto Super Kings displayed their pedigree by registering a crushing win over the Kansai Chargers. 

Batting first Alester Kadowaki-Fleming made his mark on the tournament by striking 67* from 52 balls to help his team post 164 for eight. 

When Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake had dangerman Josh Brown caught for just 14, the belief surged through the Super Kings with Charlie Hinze strangling the scoring by taking two for eight from his four overs, while Kohei Kubota grabbed three for 22 to bowl the Chargers all out for 85 and register a win by 79 runs. 

Those results left West Kanto Hurricanes knowing they needed two wins to have any chance of making the final, but they came up against an angry Brown who whacked a 19-ball fifty on his way to 78 from 42 balls which helped the Chargers to 132 all out;  Janaka Sanjeewa starring with the ball in taking three for 10.

Makoto Taniyama then took centre stage, reminding everyone of his enduring class by taking four for 15 to bowl the Chargers to an 18-run victory.

That result meant that the Super Kings vs Lions contest on Ground Two became a virtual knockout, and in such situations the big players tend to stand up. 

Sabaorish Ravichandran hit a 27-ball 44 as the Super Kings posted 152 for eight despite four for 17 from Rizwan Khan. 

The captain then stepped up with the ball taking three for 21, just as the Lions were looking dangerous, to earn a 14-run win.

All that means that The Sunrisers remain top with five points, while the Chargers and Super Kings have four each. With the Sunrisers taking on the Chargers tomorrow morning, the winner will be guaranteed a place in the Final, while the Super Kings will join them if they can condemn the already eliminated Hurricanes to a fourth defeat.

Match Summaries: 

  • North Kanto Lions, 135/8 (Kulasooriya 49, A. Thurgate 5/28), tied with East Kanto Sunrisers, 135/10 (Anand 51, Ito-Davis 43).
  • South Kanto Super Kings, 164/8 (A. Kadowaki-Fleming 67*), beat Kansai Chargers, 85/9 (Kubota 3/22) by 79 runs.
  • Kansai Chargers, 132/10  (Brown 78, Sanjeewa 3/10) beat West Kanto Hurricanes, 114/8 (Taniyama 4/15) by 18 runs.
  • South Kanto Super Kings, 152/8 (Ravichandran 44, R. Khan 4/17), beat North Kanto Lions, 138/8 (Hiratsuka 31, Ravichandran 3/21) by 14 runs. 

Highlights: