Match Report|Nepal vs Japan (Hong Kong Women’s T20I Series|3rd Place Play-off)

Japan was in the field first for the third time this tournament as legspinner Erika Toguchi-Quinn who has been the pick of the bowler this tour took an early wicket. Nepal’s other opening batter Puja Mahato however, would find herself almost batting through the innings steering her team’s innings scoring 43. Some timely wickets and a couple of late run-outs kept Nepal to a par score of 115 for five after 20.

Losing wickets in the powerplay has been Japan’s struggle thus far in the tournament but today it was a positive as the opening pair of Akari Nishimura (29) and Hinase Goto (16) batted through till the 11th over. Despite that, Nepal’s bowlers were extremely economical with five bowlers taking a wicket each and having economy rates under four. Japan fought hard till the end but fell 45 runs short of the target. The 45-run win for Nepal crowned them in third place in the tournament while Japan will look back disappointed at their performance but also with many positives to come out of it.  

JCA Official Social Media:

Women’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 1,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

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

Match Report|Nepal vs Japan (Hong Kong Women’s T20I Series)

Japan started well after winning the toss and electing to bowl. Opening quicks; Ahilya Chandel, Elena Kusuda-Nairn, and Meg Ogawa controlled the power play bowling very economically. Japan had Nepal in trouble for most of the innings, having them at 59 for two at the 15-over mark. This is when the Nepalese girls; Indu Barma (27) and Rubina Chhetry (38) hit back for the final five overs and shared a 70-run partnership to score a total of 113 for four after 20.

Japan’s powerplay batting let them down again today losing six wickets in the first eight overs. Off-spinner Sangita Rai was the main disruptor taking incredible figures of five wickets off only six runs. A late consolation cameo innings from Ogawa (17) helped lift the total, nevertheless, Nepal bowled out Japan on the last ball of the innings for 46 losing by 67 runs.

Japan will face Nepal again tomorrow morning starting from 10:30 am Japan time. After a disappointing tournament, Japan will look to finish on a positive playing for 3rd place. 

Match Schedule (Japan Time):

  • Wednesday 15 November – Hong Kong vs Japan, Time 15:00
  • Thursday 16 November – Tanzania vs Japan, Time 10:30
  • Saturday 18 November – Nepal vs Japan, Time 10:30
  • Sunday 19 November – 3rd Place Play-Off, Time 10:30
  • Sunday 19 November – Final, Time 15:00

All matches will take place at Hong Kong Cricket Club and are scheduled to be live-streamed. Follow JCA and Hong Cricket Association’s official social media for further information and updates.

JCA Official Social Media:

Women’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 1,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

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

Match Report|Tanzania vs Japan (Hong Kong Women’s T20I Series)

Japan dropped their second game to a strong Tanzania side in a disappointing defeat.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Tanzania came out hitting early through Saum Mtae striking a quick 36. Tanzania’s momentum was timely stopped, however, due to great bowling spells from spinners; Erika Toguchi-Quinn and Ayumi Fujikawa. The pair had their best international figures taking three wickets each at very good economy rates. Furthermore, debutant and cap number 76 Palak Gunchecha, took her maiden international wicket as Japan was able to take regular wickets throughout the innings. Japan nearly bowled out Tanzania as they reached a total of 139 for nine after 20 overs.

Tanzania’s opening bowlers Perice Kamunya and Neema Pius were destructive early, taking four wickets in the powerplay. Japan’s chase was an innings to forget about as an accumulation of tight bowling and poor running between wickets led to Tanzania bowling Japan out for a measly 28. The 111-run win by Tanzania puts them as strong favourites for the tournament. Japan will have a day off to recoup and hope to finish off the last group-stage game with a victory over Nepal on Saturday starting from 10:30 am Japan time.

Match Schedule (Japan Time):

  • Wednesday 15 November – Hong Kong vs Japan, Time 15:00
  • Thursday 16 November – Tanzania vs Japan, Time 10:30
  • Saturday 18 November – Nepal vs Japan, Time 10:30
  • Sunday 19 November – 3rd Place Play-Off, Time 10:30
  • Sunday 19 November – Final, Time 15:00

All matches will take place at Hong Kong Cricket Club and are scheduled to be live-streamed. Follow JCA and Hong Cricket Association’s official social media for further information and updates.

JCA Official Social Media:

Women’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 1,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

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

Match Report|Hong Kong vs Japan (Hong Kong Women’s T20I Series)

Japan drop their first game to tournament hosts Hong Kong in their opening match in the four-team tournament.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Hon Kong opening bowler Iqra Sahar, was on fire early taking a wicket in her first, second, and third over leaving Japan in strife. Captain Mai Yanagida made a commendable effort coming in at three to steady the innings scoring 32 off 46 but unfortunately kept running out of batting partners. Hong Kong’s bowlers were too strong for Japan’s batters today, completed by captain Kary Chan taking four wickets in four balls including an innings-ending hatrick bowling Japan out for 78.

In the chase. Hong Kong knocked over the total easily in the 11th over. Japan did take one wicket however, through Shrunali Ranade making her international debut as Japan’s cap number 75. Ranade took the wicket of Mariko Hill who top scored with 40 helping to secure a nine-wicket convincing win to start the tournament in convincing fashion.

Japan will look to have a bounce back win against Tanzania tomorrow starting at 10:30 am Japan Time.

Match Schedule (Japan Time):

  • Wednesday 15 November – Hong Kong vs Japan, Time 15:00
  • Thursday 16 November – Tanzania vs Japan, Time 10:30
  • Saturday 18 November – Nepal vs Japan, Time 10:30
  • Sunday 19 November – 3rd Place Play-Off, Time 10:30
  • Sunday 19 November – Final, Time 15:00

All matches will take place at Hong Kong Cricket Club and are scheduled to be live-streamed. Follow JCA and Hong Cricket Association’s official social media for further information and updates.

JCA Official Social Media:

Women’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 1,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

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

JCL Finals: Tigers At The Double Double!

After years of near misses, the Tigers can now justifiably claim to be the dominant force in Japan Cricket in what has become a golden era for the club. 

After retaining their Japan Cup title in October, they have now become the first club since Sano in 2012 to retain both the Japan Cup and the Japan Cricket League Division One title. Their next goal will surely be to emulate that Sano team, in doing the double three times in succession. 

After a big win against the 2022 Runners-Up Tokyo Rangers in the Semi-Final the day before, they came up against first time finalists Men In Blue. 

The victory was emphatic, bowling Men In Blue out for just 87, Puneet Kumar taking four for 21, all of them top-five batters. Only captain Abhipray Dewan displayed any defiance, battling to 29 from 50 deliveries, while youngster Manav Natarajan (18) was the only other player to register a double-figure score. 

The chase was a procession as Rajith Mouli (45*) cut loose from the off and captain Anil Kumar settled in to win by nine wickets with a whopping 23 overs remaining. 

For Men In Blue the result was tough to take, especially after a similar capitulation in the 2022 Semi-Final against the same opponents, but a first final represents progress for the club, along with the JCL T10 title they won earlier in the year. They must take great heart from an incredible run to get to the Final, winning their final three league matches with bonus points in each to scrape through on net run-rate, then overturning table toppers MAX CC in the Semi-Final. 

An early finish meant that the Tigers 1st XI could go and support their 2nd XI on the neighbouring ground, who were locked in a tense run chase against the only unbeaten team in the JCL, Kawasaki Knight Riders. 

After captain Vinay Iyer had made 57 to drag his team from 62 for five to a respectable total of 177 all out, KKR then looked set to wrap up an early finish of their own before Pauly Paul played the innings of his life. 

The game was as good as over at 119 for nine with less than seven overs to go but Paul (49*), batting at number eight, decided to go on a remarkable offensive, striking four sixes while number 11 Sanath Acharya (15*) kept him company.

An unbroken partnership of 59 from 33 balls ended with Acharya struck successive boundaries to take the Tigers to a one wicket victory and spark absolute mayhem at the Sano International Cricket Ground. Devastation for KKR, joy for Tigers who become only the third team to win both Division One and Two in the same year behind Sano CC in 2017, and the Tigers themselves in 2020

Earlier in the weekend it had looked like Tigers could win everything on offer, however their Third XI came unstuck in their Division Three Semi-Final against Sano 2nd XI, who would go on to win their first Division Three title. 

Defending a lowly 104, Sano were able to make it a weekend to forget for Men In Blue as five bowlers chipped in with wickets to earn a 24-run win and a first piece of silverware for the club since 2019. 

Another fantastic Japan Cricket League has drawn to a close, all that remains is for the gongs to be distributed at the Awards Night on 25th November (Registrations remain open until the 19th), and to thank to committee and all involved in making 2023 a great season.

Japan Women to Compete in Hong Kong

The Japan Women’s National Team has accepted an invitation to participate in a four-team tournament alongside the hosts Hong Kong, China plus visiting teams Nepal and Tanzania. 

The team will travel on November 14th and will play each of the other teams before a 3rd place play-off and a final on Sunday 19th November. 

The team selected to travel is: 

  • Ahilya Chandel (Penrith Cricket Club)
  • Ayumi Fujikawa (Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences / Doshisha University Cricket Club)
  • Kiyo Fujikawa (Fuji Far East Cricket Club)
  • Hinase Goto (Setsunan University / Doshisha University Cricket Club)
  • Palak Gundecha* (Kawasaki Knight Riders Cricket Club)* 
  • Ruan Kanai (Fuji Far East Cricket Club)
  • Elena Kusuda-Nairn (Gold Coast District Cricket Club)
  • Akari Nishimura (Sendai University Cricket Club)
  • Meg Ogawa (Wyverns Cricket Club) 
  • Shrunali Ranade* (Kawasaki Knight Riders Cricket Club)*
  • Seika Sumi (Sendai University Cricket Club)
  • Erika Toguchi-Quinn (Melbourne Cricket Club)
  • Mai Yanagida (Wyverns Cricket Club)
  • Nonoha Yasumoto (Uenomiya Junior and Senior High School Cricket Club)

*Denotes a player selected to tour for the first time. 

Details of how to follow the matches will be announced in due course. 

We would like to express our thanks to Cricket Hong Kong for extending this invitation. We would also like to thank our Women’s National Team Partner, Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. for their support despite the short notice.

Match Schedule (Japan Time):

  • Wednesday 15 November – Hong Kong vs Japan, Time 15:00
  • Thursday 16 November – Tanzania vs Japan, Time 10:30
  • Saturday 18 November – Nepal vs Japan, Time 10:30
  • Sunday 19 November – 3rd Place Play-Off, Time 10:30
  • Sunday 19 November – Final, Time 15:00

All matches will take place at Hong Kong Cricket Club and are scheduled to be live-streamed. Follow JCA and Hong Cricket Association’s official social media for further information and updates.

JCA Official Social Media:

Women’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 1,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

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

India XI Win Third Embassy Cup

For the third time in as many years the India XI took home the Embassy Cup thanks to four victories across two days in the 2023 event at the Sano International Cricket Ground. 

India went unbeaten through the group stage and were the only team to pass the 100 runs total in their ten overs, something they achieved twice. 

The Japan XI finished second in the top group but 79 for seven in the final did not look enough, despite the best efforts of Wataru Miyauchi who struck two sixes in his 34 from 23 balls. 

The match MVP Shubham Shukla anchored the innings for his team, finishing 31 not out from 19 balls as they total was passed with 3.5 overs and seven wickets to spare. 

The Indian team were imperious throughout, showing fierce determination and stringent desire that was unmatched by the other teams.

In the third place play-off the Sri Lanka XI did just enough to hold off a Pakistan XI who experienced a wretched weekend and will now play in Division Two from 2024. 

In one of the closest games of the weekend Sri Lanka posted 98 for six from their ten overs and were made to worry while Hanif Khan was bludgeoning sixes in his 11-ball 21, but with six needed off the final ball to send the game into a Super Over, Nalin Priyadarshana kept his cool to keep Sri Lanka in the top division with a four-run win

In Group B it is the Australia & New Zealand combined XI who finished top and will play in Division One next year, thanks to a win over the previously unbeaten Bangladesh Embassy XI. 

After failing to depend 82 in the opening fixture of the weekend, the ANZ XI had their revenge as the leading wicket-taker for the tournament, Anthony Hoang, took three for just six runs to take his tally to nine across the two days, as Bangladesh were kept to just 71 for five.

It was then down to Richie Bracefield ease his team home with seven balls and seven wickets to spare thanks to a 26-ball 37* to give the New Zealanders in the team a reason to smile after a tough morning in the Rugby World Cup Final

Elsewhere in Group B the British Embassy finished in third as Alex Shirai-Patmore helped them chase the 75 runs required to condemn Nepal to a winless weekend, passing the total with two balls remaining. 

During the weekend there were activities aplenty as the Cross Party Parliamentary Cricket Association attended on Saturday, along with numerous dignitaries from most of the Embassies participating, while the Furosato Matrui on Sunday brought thousands of guests to the facility with many enjoying cricket for the first time. 

The JCA would like to formally thank all those who participated as players, staff and volunteers for making this such a memorable weekend, as well as lead partners GTN and all the other businesses who came to showcase their products.

Please make sure to check the JCA Facebook page for plenty of photos to be shared in the coming days.  

About GTN

With “Making Your Stay in Japan Great” as its vision, GTN has specialized in services for foreign nationals since its inception, providing housing assistance and comprehensive support for living in Japan. GTN offers services centered on its rent guarantor service, including real estate brokerage services, support for living and working in Japan, mobile phone services, credit card services, and more to support foreign nationals, especially those living in Japan. With 70% of its staff consisting of foreign nationals from approximately 20 different countries, GTN handles a variety of cases with an understanding of language and cultural differences.

  • Company name: Global Trust Networks Co., Ltd.
  • Location: Oak Ikebukuro Building 2nd Floor, 1-21-11 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
  • Representative: Representative Director and President Hiroyuki Goto
  • Business Description: Rent guarantor, real estate agency, lifestyle support business, telecommunications, human resources, credit card, etc. specialized for foreigners
  • URL: https://www.gtn.co.jp

GTN Mission Statement

Over the past 18 years since our establishment, GTN has witnessed profound changes in the business environment, Japanese society, and the global landscape. As we adapt to the evolving times, our business has consistently expanded in collaboration with numerous valued partners.

Throughout this journey, one aspect has remained unwavering – our core philosophy. In the spirit of preserving our enduring principles and celebrating our growth, we have crafted a new mission statement: “Empowering Those Who Empower Japan.” This statement serves as a declaration of our mission, one that aims to transform the vision of an equitable and inclusive Japanese society for foreign nationals into a tangible reality through the diverse range of services we offer. It is also an open invitation to all individuals in Japan to join hands with us and actively contribute to this mission.

Japan Beat Singapore to Qualify for Under 19 Asia Cup!

The Men’s Japan Under 19 Team made history, again, by securing a spot at the 2023 Asia Cup by virtue of a third place finish at the Premier Cup in Kuala Lumpur. 

Japan drew on all the experience gained in tight contests against Malaysia and Hong Kong to come through again in the winner-takes-all clash against Singapore.  

Coach Ardene Ruhode talked of his pride in the players and gratitude for all the support the team has: “We really feel the support from everyone, and the way the players have grown up both out here and in Darwin back in June, it’s been an incredible few months.”

He added: “Not many people outside the Japan Cricket community gave us much of a chance here, but these boys have shown so much character to win tight games. We know it’ll be a step up at the Asia Cup, but what an experience for everyone.”

His words were echoed by captain Koji Hardgrave-Abe who said: “It’s another great achievement for the boys. Everyone is really enjoying the environment that the coaching staff are creating, it’s always so positive and has really made this possible. We also want to thank all the people back home for their backing, it means a lot.”

After winning the toss and batting first, Japan made a solid start as openers Aditya Phadke (28) and Nikhil Pol (17) put on 57 for the first wicket. That good start was squandered however, when Singapore hit back by taking four wickets for 15 runs in a ten over spell when things really dried up for Japan. 

Contributions down the order, most notably a well made 25 from Charlie Hinze, took Japan all the way to the 50th over of the innings and a total of 164 all out. Having defended a similar score against Malaysia, Japan knew what was required with the ball. 

Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake struck with his very first ball, and Japan almost had a second as Kazuma Kato-Stafford forced an error only for a catch to go down. 

He had his reward soon enough, knocking over two of the top order before Aarav Tiwari (three for 26) took over and picked up wickets in each of his first three overs to leave Singapore reeling at 63 for six, a position from which they never fully recovered. 

Aryaveer Chaudhary (34) was the last hope for Singapore, and had shown his class with 127 against Kuwait earlier in the tournament. Initially expansive, he calmed his game down and tried to bat sensibly by working singles and running hard once his team landed in trouble. 

That recovery took Singapore to 112 for seven before Hinze, yet again, got the wicket Japan needed. With the run rate slowing right down, largely thanks to some excellent bowling from Hugo Kelly, Hinze managed to get one behind the legs of fellow left-hander Chaudhary in the 33rd over, his second of the day and 11th for the tournament. 

As the clouds came in, a common late-afternoon sight in Malaysia at this time of year, the light began to fade both out in the middle and on the Singaporean hopes. Well behind on the DLS par score, the rain arrived with Singapore 131 for eight as Japan hunted for the remaining two wickets. 

Unfortunately the teams never returned to the field, leaving the Japan team to celebrate a well earned win by 16 runs in the dressing room, while the cheers of delight went from the SICG Tea Room, throughout Japan and beyond. 

Tigers Retain Japan Cup

The Tigers are Japan Cup champions for the second year in a row after easily defeating first time finalists Kawasaki Knight Riders by nine wickets in the Japan Cup Final on Sunday October 22nd at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

The 68-team Japan Cup T20 tournament was spread across six regions, with 12 teams qualifying for the finals which were played over the weekend of October 21st and 22nd in Sano.

In the Japan Cup Final Knight Riders captain Vinay Iyer chose to bat first but his team got off to a horror start when Puneet Kumar and Gurman Singh claimed early wickets and, despite a fighting innings of 54 not out from Lav Singh, his team were restricted to a below-par score of 86 for nine.

Raman Tanwar claimed a wicket with the first ball of the innings to give Tigers some nervous moments but an assured 80 run partnership from Sachin Thakur and Sabaorish Ravichandran guided the Tigers home with six and a half overs to spare.

In a carbon copy of last year, Ravichandran was named man of the match for his all-round performance and also took home the Tournament MVP award for his 114 runs and seven wickets.

Earlier in the day Kawasaki Knight Riders had booked their place in the final with a narrow win over 2021 champions Tuskers in the semi final, with Ashish Sharma’s death bowling proving the difference.

Tigers had made it through with a 16 run victory in an oddly low-scoring semi final against last year’s runners up Tsukuba, left arm spinner Piyush Kumbhare breaking Tsukuba hearts with a devastating spell of four wickets for just nine runs. It was the first time the same four teams had made the semi-finals in successive years, and the first time a team had retained the title since the Tochigi Three-peat of 2014-2016.

In a thrilling Shield Final Kobe Hawks claimed victory for a second year in a row by just seven runs over the Ceylon XI, left arm spinner Abdul Samad claiming the Final MVP award for his all round performance.

In the Plate Final first timers Saitama United won an entertaining match against Wyverns. Japan’s  Wataru Miyauchi’s 98 blasted the Wyverns to 180 for two but it wasn’t enough as Ghufran Mir smashed 91 not out to guide Saitama United to the win with just three balls to spare.

Final Standings

  • Japan Cup champions: Tigers
  • Japan Cup runners up: Kawasaki Knight Riders
  • 3rd place: Tuskers
  • 4th place: Tsukuba
  • Shield winners (5th): Kobe Hawks
  • 6th place: Ceylon XI
  • 7th place: Alpha Quashers
  • 8th place: Kyoto Super Lions
  • Plate winners (9th): Saitama United
  • 10th place: Wyverns
  • 11th place: Tokyo Falcons
  • 12th place: Serendib Leos

Award Winners

  • Japan Cup Finals MVP: Sabaorish Ravichandran (Tigers)
  • Japan Cup Finals Best Batter: Malinda Dissanayake (Tuskers)
  • Japan Cup Finals Best Bowler: Piyush Kumbhare (Tigers)

Nepal Too Good In Premier Cup Semi-Final

The Men’s Japan Under 19 Team will compete in the third place playoff at the ACC Premier Cup in Kuala Lumpur, after being second best to an excellent Nepal team in today’s Semi-Final. 

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake removed Arjun Kumal, the leading run scorer for the tournament who had made 143 in his previous match, for just ten and Japan had things under control at 32 for one after eight overs. 

However Deepak Bohara batted excellently for his 79 before Kazuma Kato-Stafford had him caught behind in the 23rd over. Nepal continued on to 140 for two after 25 overs before a five-hour rain interruption changed the whole structure of the game. 

In keeping Nepal to around 5.5 runs per over Japan felt they were doing a decent job of containing the batters, but once the calculators came out to give a revised target of 187 ito win in just 22 overs, Japan had a tough task ahead of them. 

Rain during the ACC Men’s U19 Premier Cup 2023 1st Semi-Final match between Nepal and Japan held at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala lumpur, Malaysia on the 21st October 2023.
Photo by: Deepak Malik / Creimas / Asian Cricket Council
RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

When play resumed around 4pm, Japan had no choice to attack from the start but lost a host of wickets early to Hemant Dhami (three for eight). 

Only Shotaro Hiratsuka (15) with a couple of sixes, and Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake (14) with a couple of fours, showed any real resistance as Japan ended 43 for nine with Rithvik Sivakumar unable to bat, meaning a win for Nepal by 143 runs

Speaking after the game coach Ardene Ruhode was quick to pay tribute to Nepal, while also ruing the circumstances that ended his teams eight match winning streak. He said: “Nepal are a quality team, our boys have actually enjoyed seeing players their own age be that good, so we congratulate them on making the Asia Cup.”

He continued, “that said, we are disappointed we were not able to show the best version of ourselves today. The revised target of 8.5-per-over did not help us. This is a team picked to play 50-over cricket, so 187 in 22 overs was like asking a load of Rugby Union players to go and play League. It’s a different game.”

The team will now dust themselves down for one last shot at qualifying for the Asia Cup in the playoff against Singapore which will take place on Monday 23rd October. 

Singapore topped a group containing Kuwait, Maldives and Thailand and lost by ten wickets to the UAE in the other Semi-Final.

Remaining Fixture Schedule:

  • Saturday 21st October: Nepal vs Japan (10:30am JST)
  • Monday 23rd October: 3rd vs 4th (10:30am JST)
  • Tuesday 24th October: Final (10:30am JST)

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