Pandas Victorious in Revamped J-BASH All-Stars Clash

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The J-BASH All-Stars has relocated to the Sano International Cricket Ground for 2023 as the Pandas and Pelicans took to the Tanuma Turf for the first time. 

Bowling first the Pelicans made a dream start as Kiyo Fujikawa picked up the wicket of the dangerous Akari Nishimura in the second over of the match. 

However, the Pandas took control thereafter as Erika Oda complied an excellent half century, including a thunderous straight drive for six, in an almighty partnership of 125 from 17.3 overs with Ahilya Chandel, who was run out in the final over for 47.

The 55 from Oda helped the Pandas post 138 for three with Fujikawa easily the pick of the bowlers and clearly relishing playing on a spinning surface. 

Chandel then decided that the support role was not for her, taking the new ball and removing the dangerous Haruna Iwasaki in the first over on her way to figures of three wickets for just 12 runs. 

She was backed up impressively by Nonoha Yasumoto, the youngster from Uenomiya who looks set for an international debut later this month at the Women’s East Asia Cup. She took two for 11 from her three overs and gave little opportunity to score. 

The Pandas defied the nature of the cuddly creatures and were load and active in the field, taking sharp catches and facilitiating two run outs as the Pelicans had their wings clipped and kept to 125 for nine from their 20 overs, falling 13 runs short in the chase. 

Ahilya Chandel took home the Player of the Match award for an excellent all-round display.

One Short – JCL Round 3 Report

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Centurion Kasun Ganesh of Tokyo Rangers was the star of the round, while the defending champions, the Tigers remain, and look, unbeatable in a short and action-packed JCL Round Three.

After a tight loss last round, the Rangers rebounded strongly as Ganesh made batting look easy,  scoring 105 at a strike rate higher than 180. Milinda Sanjaya took over the reins when Ganesh fell, adding 52 off just 36 balls. Alpha Quashers’ bowling pair of Janardhanan Veeraraghavan and Inderjeet Singh found success taking four wickets each to bowl the Tigers out, but a mammoth total of 282 for the Rangers after 40 overs looked imposing

So it proved, as Rangers made easy work of in the second innings, rolling the Alpha Quashers all out for just 60 in the 20th over. Sanjaya added four wickets to the 50 he made, completing a well-deserved MVP performance and more importantly, helping his team to a 220-run bonus point victory.

Tigers’ frontline batters Ranjith Mouli and Anil Kumar put their team in a strong position early on, scoring 44 and 47 respectively. However, Vishal Patel and Ashish Jaiswal sparked a collapse as Men In Blue restricted the Tigers to 184 all out. Jaiswal’s figures of four for 32 set up the team for a getable chase. 

Rahul Koul gave his side a glimmer of hope scoring 43 up top, however, the rest of the Men In Blue batters could not handle the ferocity of the Tigers’ bowling attack. Five of their bowlers had economy rates under three, headlined by Sabaorish Ravichandran with staggering figures of three for seven off just six overs. The Men In Blue took the game deep, but the Tigers managed to bowl the side out, winning the game comfortably by 76 runs.

The Paddy Foleys picked up their first win of the season over the Rising Stars after a strong batting performance.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Rising Stars got off to a fantastic start removing the top three batters cheaply. Fortunately, Paddy Foleys climbed back, building a 90-run fourth-wicket partnership between Rashidrafiq Rana (62) and Muhammad Adeel (56). Furthermore, their middle-lower order contributed tremendously in the last 10 overs to get their team to an impressive 242 for nine.

In a tough chase, The Rising Stars were looking good at the halfway mark, only two down for a 100. Tanveer Younis was the game-changer when he entered the attack, cleaning up the Risings Stars’ batting order while also restricting runs. Younis finished with figures of five for 21, helping his side bowl out the opposition for 183 completing a 59-run win.

Points Table: HERE

One Short – JCL Round 2 Report

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Despite only three games being played in Round Two,  match-winning maiden JCL centuries were made by Wyverns’ Wataru Miyauchi and Wombats’ Muhammad Ali. Furthermore, a couple more five-fers as runs and wickets are plentiful early in the season.

The Wyverns won a nail-biter, handing the Tokyo Rangers’ first-ever Division One league stage defeat. Against a strong Rangers bowling attack, Miyauchi anchored the innings, batting all 40 overs for a spectacular 115* at almost a run-a-ball. In spite of all the runs made, Rangers’ bowler Milinda Sanjaya had success taking four wickets including a late innings hat-trick to restrict the Wyverns to 220 for seven. 

With the batting firepower that the Rangers contain, it was always going to be a hard total to defend. Opener Don Bhanuka set the tone for the chase scoring 80 including a 75-run partnership with Kasun Gamage (55). However, it was an all-round bowling effort, with  all six bowlers used among the wickets. In the end, it was the centurion Miyauchi, with a 10th wicket run out to secure an important win for the Wyverns by a tight 16-run margin.

The Wombats recorded a much-needed win on the back of a strong batting performance over the Alpha Quashers over the weekend. 

Alex Shirai-Patmore (60), as he always does, established the Wombats’ innings but it was Muhammad Ali who was the hero, scoring his maiden century which included a 125-run partnership between the pair. Ali hit 18 boundaries on his way to 122 before he was dismissed by Mariaselvan Joseph, who took five for 35 in the only bright spot for the Quashers, as Wombats ended on 250 for seven from their 40 overs.

What started as a promising start, fell flat quickly as the Wombats bowlers kept striking before any Quashers’ batters could turn starts into something more substantial. First-change bowler Yohan Alvis took the second five-wicket haul of the game, off just six overs, leading the Wombats to a 54-run victory.

With both teams coming out on top in Round One, Sano and the Men in Blue faced off in hopes of making it  two in two.

After Sano won the toss and chose to bat, it was Men In Blue who got off to a flyer, dismissing the young Hiratsuka brothers early. However, Koji Hardgrave-Abe and Reo Sakurano-Thomas prevented a  Sano collapse and fought back with a 54-run partnership. After Hardgrave-Abe fell for 45, Sakurano-Thomas continued his Round One form, scoring 58 to help his team to a total of 210 for nine. Akshay Hedge was the standout bowler and took figures of three for 37.

The Sano bowlers were on top from the off as the Men In Blue could not string any big partnerships together, despite starts from Sopan Shirdhonkar (24) and Abhipray Dewan (20). Sano’s ruthless bowling lineup was too much, bowling MIB out for 124; Kohei Wakita coming to the fore with three for 36 as Sano start the season with consecutive wins.

Points Table: HERE

Team Selected for Women’s East Asia Cup 2023

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The Women’s East Asia Cup schedule has now been confirmed to be held in Hangzhou, China, from 25th – 28th May 2023.

This will be the first time the East Asia Cup has been hosted by the Chinese Cricket Association and will involve three members: China, Hong Kong, and Japan, with Korea unable to participate for a second successive year.

Following the signing of the 2021 East Asia Cup agreement, and the cancellation of the 2021 edition, this will be the second event to run, with Korea due to host the final tournament of the four-year cycle in 2024.

China and Hong Kong each have two tournament victories in the Women’s East Asia Cup, while Japan have twice been runners up.

The 2023 tournament will run as a double round-robin with a final taking place on Sunday 28th May.

Japan Squad:

  • Ahilya Chandel
  • Mai Yanagida (c)
  • Elena Kusuda-Nairn
  • Kurumi Ota
  • Kiyo Fujikawa
  • Akari Nishimura
  • Nonoha Yasumoto
  • Minami Yoshioka
  • Erika Oda
  • Yukino Nakayama
  • Hinase Goto
  • Haruna Iwasaki
  • Ayumi Fujikawa
  • Seika Sumi

About Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. (MKI)

  • Under the purpose “Unite Knowledge, Ignite the Future”, Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. (MKI) has been solving social issues and creating new values together with our clients. By utilizing its wealth of “KNOWLEDGE” accumulated through its long experience in technological development and innovation continuing for over half a century, MKI remains consistent in its pursuit to live up to the high expectations of its customers as their most reliable “value creator”.
  • Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

Series Review｜Japan vs Sri Lanka Emerging Squad

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This May, the Japan Men’s National Team were able to test themselves against a team of full-time professionals from Sri Lanka in preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup EAP Final. 

The Regional Final, which will take place in Papua New Guinea from 20th – 30th July, pit Japan against the hosts, the Philippines and Vanuatu. Two of those teams also have players on full-time contracts, so this was ideal preparation for the squad. 

Japan used 22 players in all, as the coach and selectors tried to narrow down the 15-strong squad that will travel to PNG, as well as the players who will compete in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in September / October. More players would have been used had the final game of the series not succumbed to the rain. 

Although Japan did not manage to win a game in the series, several players showed their ability with bat and ball. Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming won the best batter award, while Kouhei Kubota, Reo Sakurano-Thomas and Ibrahim Takahashi all finished among the leading wicket-takers. 

The series was arranged thanks to the efforts of the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka who worked tirelessly with Sri Lanka Cricket to ensure that a strong team was sent to test Japan, and it was clear that there was plenty of talent in the group. 

The Japan Cricket Association would like to express our thanks to all involved, and we hope this is the start of a strong partnership between our two associations. 

Additionally, the JCA would like to thank all the volunteers who supported us in various ways. Such a tour cannot happen without many people giving their time, energy and expertise. 

Full scorecards for each match can be found here, while the matches can also be seen on the JCA YouTube Channel. 

New National Playing Clothing

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We are excited to release the new uniform of the Japanese National Cricket Teams.

The new uniform is designed to promote Japanese cricket both domestically and internationally, with blue as the traditional Japanese colour, indigo and pink as the colour of cherry blossoms, and Japanese patterns are incorporated throughout.

The new uniforms will initially be used by the Japan women’s national team, and will later be used for other national teams’ uniforms as needed.

The design was approved by Mitsui Knowledge Industry (MKI), the Women’s Japan National Team Partner, and done by Yasuo Nakajima, an art director based in Sano City, where JCA is located. MKI have partnered with the Women’s Japan National team since 2019, and renewed the contract last year.

Mr. Yasuo Nakajima said: “The Sano International Cricket Ground is also known as a cherry blossom viewing spot and the tradition of indigo dyeing lives strongly in Sano City. The blue and pink colours of the uniforms are based on the image of indigo dye and cherry blossoms, and Japanese patterns have been incorporated to create an impactful and unmistakably Japanese uniform. I’m looking forward to seeing the Japanese national team in these uniforms as they compete on the world stage.”

Mr. Tsutomu Kamohara, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer of MKI, commented: “MKI will be developing a variety of activities to contribute to the development of cricket and the ‘City of Cricket,’ which we have supported since 2019. As part of our broader initiatives, we have also been exploring partnerships in digital engagement, such as promoting social casino sites ranked as innovative platforms to reach a wider audience and generate interest in cricket through gamified experiences. First of all, we wanted to create a uniform for the Japanese national team as a banner to wish each and every player of the national team success and to let as many people as possible know about cricket, so we are happy to have completed a wonderful uniform with the cooperation of Mr. Nakajima.”

Naoki Alex Miyaji, Chief Executive Officer of the JCA, commented: “We would like to thank MKI for their continued support and hard work in creating this uniform. We hope that the Japanese national teams will become recognisable to more and more people in this clothing and inspire more fans and players.

About Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. (MKI)

  • Under the purpose “Unite Knowledge, Ignite the Future”, Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. (MKI) has been solving social issues and creating new values together with our clients. By utilizing its wealth of “KNOWLEDGE” accumulated through its long experience in technological development and innovation continuing for over half a century, MKI remains consistent in its pursuit to live up to the high expectations of its customers as their most reliable “value creator”.
  • Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

Sri Lanka Emerging Squad in Japan

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An Emerging Squad selected by Sri Lanka Cricket will arrive in Sano this week to play five T20 matches against the Men’s Japan National Team who are preparing for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup EAP Final in July.

The series of matches are also hoped to be the start of continued exchanges between the two countries through Cricket, promoting friendship as well as Cricket.

All matches will be live streamed on the JCA YouTube Channel (only available on Fancode in the territories of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Maldives, Afghanistan and Pakistan).

<Tour Schedule>

Tuesday, May 9

  • 13:00-15:30 Training*
  • 16:00-18:00 Welcome Function*

Wednesday, May 10

  • 10:00-13:00 Match* (1)
  • (Sightseeing)

Thursday, May 11

  • 10:00-13:00 Match* (2)
  • 15:40-16:50 Visit to Sano High School

Friday, May 12

  • (Rest Day)

Saturday, May 13

  • 10:00-13:00 Match* (3)

Sunday, May 14

  • 10:00-13:00 Match* (4)
  • 13:30-15:00 Closing Function*

Monday, May 15

  • 10:00-13:00 Match* (5)

*Venue: Sano International Cricket Ground (SICG)

Washout Hands Hurricanes JPL VIII Title

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Rain washed out day three of the Japan Premier League, handing the title to the West Kanto Hurricanes, the only team to remain unbeaten.

The Hurricanes match up against the South Kanto Super Kings had looked set to decide which team would meet the East Kanto Sunrisers in the final, but the players never made it past the warm up as the toss was first delayed before all play was abandoned for the day at 1pm.

West Kanto become the third team to win the tournament more than once, following their victory in JPL VI. Coach Bebe Miyaji could barely contain his excitement and pride at winning the title and was full of praise for his players, calling them “heroes”.

No play on the final day also meant that the North Kanto Lions and Kansai Chargers failed to register a win and finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Sabaorish Ravichandran of South Kanto earned the Most Valuable Player Award, while Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming won best batter and Vinay Iyer best bowler.

Sunrisers Secure Place in JPL Final

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Two MVP performances from Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming have given the East Kanto Sunrisers a chance of retaining their Japan Premier League title as they booked their place in the final.

The morning match up against the South Kanto Super Kings always looked like the key battle, and Kadowaki-Fleming set the tone with a 26-ball 37 as the Sunrisers posted 130 for nine in their first innings. 

The Super Kings never quite got going in their chase, with only the final partnership managing better than a run a ball as Noor Ibrahim struck 28 from 20, which proved too little too late as the Sunrisers held on for a 12-run win. 

Next up was the North Kanto Lions, and they struggled even more to contain the Japan captain. The Lions were indebted to Reo Sakurano-Thomas as his 35 helped the team to 111 for eight in their 20 overs. 

Kadowaki Fleming ended the chase by striking three consecutive sixes to finish 49* from 30 balls, while Nikhil Pol made 30* in a supporting role as the win was secured by nine wickets.

Those wins mean the Sunrisers are the only team to have played all their matches and sit top of the table on six points. The Hurricanes and Super Kings are immediately below them and play each other in the final match of the round.

The Hurricanes comfortably dispatched the Kansai Chargers in the morning, as Shogo Kimura became only the second player to pass 50 in the tournament this year. 

Chasing 110, Kimura struck four maximums before being dismissed on 57, leaving Kazuma Kato-Stafford to strike a winning boundary with four balls remaining and five wickets in hand.

The Kansai Chargers will face off against the Lions in the wooden spoon match on Sunday with both teams yet to register a win. The Chargers were comfortably beaten by a Sabaorish Ravichandran-inspired Super Kings, intend on inflicting some damage after their morning loss. 

Although the Chargers excelled with the ball to dismiss the Super Kings for 110 in 18.5 overs, Ravichandran stood up with 31 from 20 deliveries. He then combined with Piyush Kumbhare to take five wickets for just 19 runs in their eight overs to seal a 32-run win and keep their destiny in their own hands. 

The weather forecast may yet have the final word in the JPL VIII, but so far viewers have been treated to an array of exciting cricket and three teams all go into the final day hoping to claim the title. 

Match Summaries:

Morning 

  • Sunrisers 130/9 (Kadowaki-Fleming 37), beat Super Kings 118/4, by 12 runs.
  • Chargers 109/8 (Taniyama 31), lost to Hurricanes 110/5 (Kimura 57), by 5 wickets.

Afternoon

  • Lions 111/8 (Sakurano-Thomas 35), lost to Sunrisers 114/1 (Kadowaki-Fleming 49*, Pol 30*), by 9 wickets
  • Super Kings 110/10 (Ravichandran 31, Yamashita 3/22), beat Chargers 78/8 (Ravichandran 3/10), by 32 runs.

The final round will start at 10am Japan Standard time, with the Grand Final set to start at 2pm. Tune in on YouTube (or Fancode on the Indian Subcontinent) as the action reaches its climax.

Hurricanes Make Whirlwind Start to JPL VIII

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The West Kanto Hurricanes blew hardest on Day One of JPL VIII, as they aim to reclaim the title they won for the first time in 2021. 

Inspired by three Japan internationals, the Hurricanes were first indebted to captain Wataru Miyauchi as his 43 broke the back of a nervy chase of 100 to defeat the East Kanto Sunrisers, the defending champions, by three wickets. 

In the afternoon, it was a scintillating 71 from 51 balls from Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake which propelled the team to 133 for seven in their 20 overs against the North Kanto Lions. 

In both matches Vinay Iyer wrecked havoc with the ball, grabbing nine wickets in total. His four for 17 against the Sunrisers proved just a warm-up as he destroyed the Lions with five for 12 to spark a collapse from 81 for two to 108 all out and a win by 25 runs.

The Sunrisers were able to bounce back from their defeat in the morning thanks to their own internationals, as Ibrahim Takahashi (four for 12) and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (39 off 29 balls) did enough to claim a 27-run win over the Kansai Chargers. 

The only other team to manage a 100% record on Day One were the South Kanto Super Kings, who are desperately seeking a return to former glories. 

The Super Kings held their nerve in a tight match against the Lions, and it was no surprise that their internationals took the limelight; Alex Shirai-Patmore setting up a total of 128 for eight with his 41 from 46 deliveries before Piyush Kumbhare really tamed the Lions. 

Kumbhare’s two for 16 included a maiden and left the Lions with too much to do at the end. Needing 17 off the final over they came close thanks to a towering maximum from Shortaro Hiratsuka, but it was the Super Kings who strutted home by three runs in the end. 

There is a full schedule on Saturday 6th May as well, be sure to tune in on YouTube (or Fancode on the Indian Subcontinent) as the action continues. 

Match Summaries: 

Morning

  • Sunrisers 99/10 (Iyer 4/17, Ichiki 3/17), lost to Hurricanes 102/7 (Miyauchi 43), by three wickets. 
  • Super Kings 128/8 (Shirai-Patmore 41, Chandima 3/30), beat Lions 125/7 (Takoor 42, Pathak 33), by three runs. 

Afternoon

  • Sunrisers 146/8 (Kadowaki-Fleming 39, Luqman 3/17), beat Chargers 119/9 (Takahashi 4/12), by 27 runs.
  • Hurricanes 133/7 (Yamamoto-Lake 71), beat Lions 108/10 (Iyer 5/12, Kato-Stafford 3/19), by 25 runs.