The Shorties – 2019

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The time has come to once again reminisce about past glories. With memories of the 2019 JCL season fading fast the One Short team have once again donned their finest attire and debated long into the night who should be awarded the most precious of gongs…A Shortie. 

It’s far to say that 2019 was a fine vintage, exceptional individual performances abounded and a team with a long history of near-misses ended up with their hands on the biggest prize of all. 

Before the main event we must, as always, formally announce the Japan Cricket League Team of the Year, as chosen by the JCL Committee.

  1. Dhugal Bedingfield (C) (Chiba Sharks)
  2. Wataru Miyauchi (WK) (Wyverns)
  3. Alex Patmore (Wombats)
  4. Sabaorish Ravichandran (Tigers)
  5. Sarfraz Petkar (Men In Blue)
  6. Masaomi Kobayashi (Max)
  7. Makoto Taniyama (Max)
  8. Raheel Kano (Wyverns)
  9. Nozomi Tomizawa (Wyverns)
  10. Nikhil Chhajed (Alpha Quashers)
  11. Raman Tanwar (Alpha Quashers)

With seven out of eight teams represented, and a record five Japanese players included, the Team of the Year again shows the quality spread throughout the league and the improvement of the locally produced players. 

Now then, to the gongs. 

 

Innings of the Year: Davian Johnson – 82*, Chiba Sharks vs Men In Blue, Round Seven

There were five centuries in the top flight this season, but all came in comfortable victories. For this prize we have chosen a gargantuan effort that proved crucial in Chiba Sharks making the Semi-Finals. Davian ‘Clampa’ Johnson made an unbeaten 82 in a chase where the rest of the top six failed to make double figures and secured his team a vital win. 

 

Partnership of the Year: Takuro Hagihara & Ankit Panwar – 35, MAX vs MIB, Round One

It may not seem like a big number, but at 183/9 needing 219 to win, this last-wicket stand for the defending champions against a newly promoted side led to a tied match on the opening day of the season. Such a match deserves a mention here if nothing else, and everyone loves a battling number 11.

 

Bowling Performance of the Season: Vignesh Bandi 6/11, Wombats vs MIB, Round 10

Opening the bowling Vignesh Bandi single-handedly destroyed the Men in Blue, taking four wickets in his first four overs. He returned later to grab two more, meaning he removed six of the top eight and half his overs were maidens. 

 

Match of the Year: Semi Final AQCC vs MAX, 

Redemption for Takuro Hagihara came in this thriller that even Ben Stokes would be proud of. Hagihara was the last man out in Round One, having dragged his team from the abyss to the brink only for it all to go wrong. This time with 12 needed off the final over he contributed two singles as Prabath Sankalpa struck the winning runs with a ball to spare. Although it proved ultimately in vain as MAX could not repeat the dose in the final, this Semi Final was an absolute classic.

 

Breakthrough Player of the Year: Yugandhar Retharekar

What a season for the Chiba Sharks and Japan Under 19 off-spinner. While 14 wickets in 11 matches may not look like groundbreaking figures, a closer look reveals Retharekar had comfortably the best economy rate in the Division by anyone who played more than a single match. He only turned 16 in November and will be a key player for his country in the upcoming Under 19 World Cup. 

Well that just about wraps things up. A nod to Dhugal Bedingfield, top run scorer this year with 418 at an average of 59.71 in his nine matches, and to Makoto Taniyama who finishes as leading wicket-taker for the second year running with 24 at 11.96 apiece. 

Like last year there were four Japanese players in the top ten runs scorers and wicket takers list for the season, which bodes well for the future of the National Team and 2020 will be a big year for them. The JCL remains an excellent training ground and much credit and thanks should go to the Committee of Takuya Kudo, Ragesh Nair and Vasanthan Jayakumar for their tireless work in making it a success. 

Enjoy the winter, cheer on Japan in South Africa, and see you all again in the spring.

Under 19 Tour to Australia Schedule Announced

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The full schedule for the Under 19 Team tour of Queensland, Australia has been confirmed today.

The team will depart Tokyo on Wednesday 25th December and will have training sessions at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane on Friday 27th and Tuesday 31st December.

In addition the team will be hosted by Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club, the home of Japan National Team player Kendel Fleming, for matches against a Select XI on Sunday 29th and Monday 30th December.

Japan will also be hosted by Sandgate-Redcliffe District Cricket Club who will provide a Select XI Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd January.

The final match of the tour will be against a Queensland Academy XI on Saturday 4th January, before the team returns to Japan on Monday 6th.

This busy tour will provide the players with vital match practice prior to the World Cup in South Africa, for which they will depart on Friday 10th January.

Travelling with the team will be Dhugal Bedingfield as Coach, Alan Curr as Manager and Naotsune (Bebe) Miyaji as Assistant.

A full tour report will appear on the JCA website at the end of the tour, while our Facebook and Twitter accounts will enable fans to follow a little closer if they wish.

Team Announced for Under 19 Cricket World Cup

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Today the Japan Cricket Association is pleased to announce the 15 players who will represent Japan at the Under 19 Cricket World Cup.

The team will be led by Marcus Thurgate with Neel Date appointed as Vice-Captain.

Thurgate said: “It means a lot to be the first captain of a Japan team to participate in a global cricket event. It comes with a lot of pressure to show the world what we are capable of, but also excitement for our new era!”

The full list of players is below:

  • Max Clements (Chiba Sharks Cricket Club)
  • Tushar Chaturvedi (Chiba My-Ys Cricket Club)
  • Neel Date (Chiba My-Ys Cricket Club)
  • Kento Ota-Dobell (Brown Hill Cricket Club)
  • Ishaan Fartyal (Chiba My-Ys Cricket Club)
  • Sora Ichiki (Akishima Aviators Cricket Club)
  • Leon Mehlig (Chiba My-Ys Cricket Club)
  • Masato Morita (Akishima Aviators Cricket Club)
  • Shu Noguchi (Sano Braves)
  • Yugandhar Retharekar (Chiba My-Ys Cricket Club)
  • Debashish Sahoo (Chiba My-Ys Cricket Club)
  • Reiji Suto (Sano Braves)
  • Kazumasa Takahashi (Sano Braves)
  • Ashley Thurgate (Chiba My-Ys Cricket Club)
  • Marcus Thurgate (Chiba My-Ys Cricket Club) – Captain

The following fixtures have been confirmed:

  • January 13th – vs Scotland (Warm Up)
  • January 15th – vs United Arab Emirates (Warm Up)
  • January 18th – vs New Zealand (World Cup Group A)
  • January 21st – vs India World Cup Group A)
  • January 25th – vs Sri Lanka (World Cup Group A)

Following these matches the team will play three more matches to determine final positions, with the World Cup Final scheduled for Sunday 9th February.

We wish the players the best of luck and hope that they will be cheered on by all our supporters in Japan and around the world.

Good Luck!

Send Off Planned For Under 19 World Cup Team

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The Japan Cricket Association are organising a send off for our Under 19 World Cup players on Saturday 21st December.

The event, which will be held at Mizu Café in Harajuku, Tokyo, will run for two hours from 14:00 – 16:00 and is an opportunity for the JCA to thank the cricket community for their support.

There is no cost to attend and there will be some drinks available. There is also no formal dress code either.

If you would like to attend please complete the form here so that we can keep track of who is coming. Please note that should the event become over subscribed we may need to limit attendance. https://forms.gle/57yhNmowo985oRXY8

For those unfamiliar with the venue there is a map here: http://mizucafe.jp/concept/#no2

We hope to see lots of people there as we wish the best of luck to our players at this exciting time!

2019 Japan Cup Season Review

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2019 was the biggest year of Japan Cup T20 cricket so far, 41 teams competing across seven regions.

Unfortunately, the year ended with the Japan Cup Finals wiped out by Typhoon Hagibis but there was plenty of excitement in each region in the lead up.

Plenty has been happening in West Japan in 2019. The Japan Cup in Kansai has expanded to six teams and the standard of cricket has risen dramatically. Kobe Hawks were the dominant force throughout the year, regularly scoring over 200 runs per match. They then registered a tough win against Osaka Raiders in the semi. However, the final did not go to script. Shiga Kyoto saved their best performance till last, defeating the Hawks by 35 runs to take the title.

Aichi CC were champions of Tokai.

Tokai cricket is also moving forward with six teams competing at the Fuji Cricket Grounds this year. Aichi CC finished the league in fourth place, just scraping into the semis, but were then far too strong for Nagoya Bengal Tigers in the semi final before smashing Suzuka CC in the final. Aichi all-rounder Ijas Ahamed was named Tokai MVP.

South Kanto is the largest region by numbers, 10 teams fiercely competing to be crowned champions. It was again Alpha Quashers Yokohama who prevailed, sweeping aside Tigers in the final for their fourth South Kanto title in as many years. Tigers skipper Sabaorish Ravichandran was named MVP for his incredible batting average of 340.

Men In Blue won East Kanto again.

Men In Blue continued their dominance in East Kanto, first narrowly defeating Tokyo Falcons in the semi final and then winning another nail-biter against the much improved Tsukuba CC in the final. Tsukuba’s Nalin Priyadarshana was declared the MVP for his 21 wickets, the highest of anyone across the country this year.

West Kanto expanded to six teams this year and the league was closely fought. First-timers Tokyo Rhinos surprised all in their first season by finishing top of the table but it was the University XI that beat them comfortably in the final in Akishima. Uni XI skipper Wataru Miyauchi was named West Kanto MVP for his all-round performances.

Last year’s national champions Ceylon XI had it all their own way in North Kanto, going through the season undefeated and then winning the final easily against a Sano CC team featuring plenty of young talent. Ceylon XI veteran Prabath Dhanushka was awarded the MVP of North Kanto.

Lastly, just the two teams competed in Tohoku and in a rain-affected season Sendai CC were the winners over Sendai Lions XI. Sendai all-rounder Udbhav Dubey was named Tohoku MVP.

Jess Adams: Finishing Up In Japan

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At the Japan Cricket Association we are fortunate to regularly have guests from abroad working alongside us to help improve cricket in Japan. Over the years we have had people from a range of backgrounds, but especially Australia, England and New Zealand.

In this section of the website you will be able to read about why each person is visiting and what it is they are actually do here. We hope you find it interesting and if you ever have any questions about these placements please feel free to contact us.

And that’s a wrap on my internship with Cricket Japan. 6 Absolutely amazing weeks being involved with school clinics, Bhukatsu, Junior club, cricket blast, mayors cup and so much more.

The last week and a half have absolutely flown by filled will many school visits, Junior club sessions, cricket blast and the mayors cup. Loads of travelling and spending the last few moments with the Japan cricket community.

Thank- you Hiromori family for your kind hospitality. I had an absolute ball spending time with you. Our adventures to the Showa Memorial park was incredible and I loved all the new Japanese foods that you let me try.

On a day off Chelsea (JCA), Nadine (Chelsea’s friend) and I went to Mt. Fuji. It was an absolutely spectacular day and the view was incredible. We were so lucky to have witnessed Mt Fuji in such perfect condition. A trip to Fuji Q Highland also happened and we went on the previous record holding rides which was amazing but also one of them was terrifying. Chelsea and I loved the speed record ride the most. It went from 0 – 180 in about 3 seconds, so insane and loads of fun.

I had the privilege of running a class session with the kids from Kouka Elementary school, teaching them about cricket and Australia. We had loads of fun doing interactive activities, with guess the Australian animals and practicing Aussie slang. We also watched videos of biggest 6s hit in Australia and best catches.

The final blast session was so much fun as we played great games and completed challenges against each other which had a combination of all the skills that were learnt throughout the blast sessions. The quiz for this week was on the staff that helped to run the sessions along with some very entertaining photos of each other.

A massive thanks to everyone at the Japan Cricket Association for making this internship possible. To Alan and Chelsea for all your hard work organizing all the school visits and families to stay with, thanks and to all the staff that I had a change to work with, cheers for making it a blast. Once again thanks to all the host families that opened up their homes for me and helped show me around and experience the Japanese culture. I have had an absolute ball and it is a trip that I will never forget.

Until next time Japan, Sayōnara

2019 Japan Cricket Award Winners

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The Japan Cricket Association Annual Awards night was held in Tokyo on Saturday November 16th. The list of award winners for the 2019 season is below.

Japan Cricket Association Player of the Year (Men)

Winner: Sabaorish Ravichandran

Runner Up: Wataru Miyauchi

Third Place: Nozomi Tomizawa

Japan Cricket Association Player of the Year (Women)

Winner: Miho Kanno

Runner Up: Nao Tokizawa

Third Place: Mai Yanagida

Japan Premier League

Champions: East Kanto Sunrisers

Best Bowler: Anushantha Chandima (Lions), 7 wickets @ 10.7

Best Batsman: Wataru Miyauchi (Hurricanes), 160 runs @ 32.0

MVP: Sabaorish Ravichandran (Super Kings), 187 runs & 5 wickets

Japan Cricket League – Division 1

Champions: Chiba Sharks CC

Best Bowler: Makoto Taniyama (Max), 24 wickets @ 11.9

Best Batsman: Dhugal Bedingfield (Sharks), 419 runs @ 59.7

MVP: Sabaorish Ravichandran (Tigers), 377 runs & 23 wickets

Japan Cricket League – Division 2

Champions: Sano CC

Best Bowler: Shameera Pathum (Sano), 21 wickets @ 6.3

Best Batsman: Anil Kumar (Tigers), 376 runs @ 62.7

MVP: Shunsuke Hashiba (Adore), 239 runs & 13 wickets

Japan Cricket League – Division 3

Champions: Tigers CC

Best Bowler: Susil Nagarajan (Alpha Quashers), 19 wickets @ 9.2

Best Batsman: Anuraj Singh (Tigers), 377 runs @ 53.9

MVP: Anuraj Singh (Tigers), 377 runs & 7 wickets

Japan Women’s Cricket League

Champions: Adore CC

Best Fielder: Nao Tokizawa (Adore), 1 catch, 3 run outs

Best Bowler: Ruan Kanai (Fuji Far East), 10 wickets @ 6.3

Best Batsman: Mai Yanagida (Wyverns), 79 runs @ 79.0

MVP: Ayaka Kanada (Adore), 71 runs & 4 wickets

Japan Cup Finals Tournament

Not held this year due to Typhoon Hagibis.

Japan Cup T20 Regional Qualifiers

North Kanto Champions: Ceylon XI. MVP: Prabath Dhanushka (Ceylon XI).

East Kanto Champions: Men In Blue CC. MVP: Nalin Priyadarshana (Tsukuba).

South Kanto Champions: Alpha Quashers Yokohama CC. MVP: Sabaorish Ravichandran (Tigers).

West Kanto Champions: University XI. MVP: Wataru Miyauchi (Uni XI)

Kansai Champions: Shiga Kyoto CC.

Tokai Champions: Aichi CC. MVP: Ijas Ahamed (Aichi)

Tohoku Champions: Sendai CC. MVP: Udbhav Dubey (Sendai)

Japan Women’s Cricket Tournament

Champions: Adore CC

Best Fielder: Ayaka Kanada (Adore), 2 catches, 1 run out

Best Bowler: Madoka Shiraishi (Wyverns), 4 wickets @ 3.0

Best Batsman: Akari Kitayama (Wyverns), 42 runs

MVP: Ayaka Kanada (Adore), 3 wickets

University Champions Wicket

Mens Champions: Waseda University. MVP: Masaki Kawashima (Waseda Uni)

Womens final between Keio University and Uenomiya not held this year due to weather.

Kanto University Men’s Championship

Champions: Chuo University

Best Fielder: Kengo Aoki (Aoyama Gakuin), 3 catches, 2 run outs

Best Bowler: Takeaki Nishida (Waseda), 9 wickets @ 4.9

Best Batsman: Yusuke Wakuta (Waseda), 145 runs @ 36.3

MVP: Wataru Miyauchi (Waseda), 135 runs & 9 wickets

Kanto University Women’s Championship

Champions: Keio University

Best Fielder: Akari Kitayama (Waseda), 3 catches, 1 run out

Best Bowler: Nao Tokizawa (Keio), 6 wickets @ 9.0

Best Batsman: Nao Tokizawa (Keio), 191 runs @ 95.5

MVP: Nao Tokizawa (Keio), 191 runs and 6 wickets

Japan University Freshmen League

Womens Champions: Showa Womens University. MVP: Yu Okunuki (Keio)

Mens Champions Ryukoku University. MVP: Akira Kuribayashi (Ryukoku)

Japan Under 19 League

Champions: Sano Braves

Best Bowler: Shotaro Takahashi (Braves), 14 wickets @ 5.6

Best Batsman: Kazumasa Takahashi (Braves), 264 runs @ 66.0

MVP: Tushar Chaturvedi (Chiba My Ys), 136 runs & 10 wickets

Japan Under 15 League

Division 1 Champions: Men In Blue CC

Division 2 Champions: Tokyo Falcons CC

Best Bowler: Hirotake Kakinuma (Braves), 16 wickets @ 7.3

Best Batsman: Manav Natarajan (Men In Blue), 191 runs @ 95.5

MVP: Shotaro Takahashi (Braves), 142 runs & 9 wickets

Introduction of Japan Women’s National Team Sponsors

The new co-sponsors of the Japan Women’s national team Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd and Tech Mahindra Limited were introduced at the awards ceremony. Signed Women’s national team uniforms were presented to MKI president Isao Kohiyama and Tech Mahindra senior vice president Amitava Ghosh.

Men In Blue, Falcons win Japan U15 Titles

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After a postponement due to Typhoon Hagibis, the Japan Under 15 League finals day took place on November 3rd at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

Four teams were competing in the top division: Sano Braves finishing the season on top of the table, followed by Men In Blue, GIIS A and Akishima Aviators.

In the first semi final the Braves took on the Aviators with the Braves batting first.

Captain Junpei Hayashi, Ruan Kanai and Hirotake Kakinuma all made valuable 20s for the Braves on their way to 123/5 while Keigo Kawakubo picked up 3/16 for the Aviators.

In reply, Masato Morita played a lone hand for Akishima, scoring 39 before being bowled by Shotaro Takahashi, his team all out for 83.

In the second semi GIIS A batted bravely against the pace of Vinamra Sethi (2/13), finishing on 110/5 with Shota Kubota top scoring with 18.

Men In Blue made light work of the chase, reaching the target in the tenth over, Vinamra Sethi top scoring with 37, and Aditya Phadke finishing not out on 28.

Three grounds were in use for the afternoon with a temporary third ground adding to the carnival atmosphere at the SICG.

In the division 1 third place play off the Aviators scored an impressive 138/8 off there 16 overs, Morita again top-scoring with 38 and Taisei Suzuki making 28 while Prakhar Jain was the pick of the bowlers for GIIS A with 4/15.

In reply the Aviators bowling was too strong for GIIS A, who finished all out for 54.

Tokyo Falcons – U15 Division 2 champions

Meanwhile, the divsion 2 final was taking place on the main ground between Tokyo Falcons, who had gone through the season unbeaten, and GIIS B.

 

Batting first GIIS A got off to a good start thanks to a fine opening partnership from Arpan and Archit Choudhury but the Falcons managed to fight back to bowl them out for 74 thanks largely to the bowling of Nihar Parmar (3/14) and Mahip Jain (2/6).

The Falcons achieved the target in the tenth over without the loss of a wicket, Nikhil Pol providing the crowd with some highlights, including two sixes, on his way to an unbeaten 41.

In the division 1 final Sano Braves batted first, scoring an imposing 141/5 off their 20 overs, Shotaro Takahashi top scoring with 38 and Hirotake Kakinuma making a quick 36, while Anish Shekhar kept bowled tightly for Men In Blue, taking 3/18.

Sano Braves – U15 Division 2 runners up

In reply the Men In Blue top four blasted several fours and sixes and had too much fire power for the Braves bowlers to handle, Vinamra Sethi (48 not out), Anish Shekhar (25), Aditya Phadke (24 not out) and captain Manav Natarajan all contributing well as they reached the target in 14 overs. 

Congratulation go to Men In Blue and Tokyo Falcons for winning their respect divisions this year.

Congratulations also go to the volunteer managers, coaches and all of the parents who have made the Japan Under 15 league a success.

From Last to First: Sunrisers Win JPL Final

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The Japan Premier League season came to a close over the weekend with the final taking place between West Kanto Hurricanes and East Kanto Sunrisers at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

For the Hurricanes it was a third consecutive final after finishing runner up to the South Kanto Super Kings in 2017 and 2018.

For the Sunrisers it was a first ever final, having never finished above the bottom of the league table.

The match was in doubt after heavy rain across Kanto but the SICG ground staff managed to prepare the ground for play.

Batting first the Hurricanes got off to a shaky start as Sunrisers off spinner Sanjaya Yapanbadara (3/15) ripped through the top order, taking the wickets of Taniyama, Wada and Kano. 

Former pro baseballer Shogo Kimura (38 runs) joined Wataru Miyauchi (78 runs) in the middle and the two formed a steadying partnership before playing some aggressive shots to set up the Hurricanes innings.

The pair added 81 runs in just seven and a half overs before both men were caught on the boundary in quick succesion.

Power hitter Buddhika Nanayakkara hit four sixes to finish the innings, taking the Hurricanes to an impressive total of 178/8.

In reply, the Sunrisers decided to attack the power play but got off to a horror start when Kimura caught opener Ali Raza off the bowling of Hagihara before a run was even scored.

Recovering, Japan U19 captain Marcus Thurgate led the way for the Sunrisers scoring a quick 22 before the powerful Kuldeep Bisht added 30 runs off just 15 balls.

The Sunrisers were scoring quickly but losing wickets so captain Hanif Khan and Dhugal Bedingfield (23 runs) combined for a steadying partnership to bring their team within sight of victory.

The game swung back to the Hurricanes favour when rookie bowler Yusuke Wakuta took two crucial wickets but Hanif kept calm and hit the first two balls of the last over well over the ropes to seal victory for his team.

The quality of the JPL continues to improve so please continue to follow all the action next year.

Sano Braves Win Japan Under 19 Final

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The Sano Braves became Japan Under 19 champions for the first time, beating the Chiba My Ys by 34 runs at the Sano International Cricket Ground over the weekend.

Batting first the Sano Braves were led by their captain Shu Noguchi, who batted through the innings for a run-a-ball 47. 

The Braves also had good contributions from Kazumasa Takahashi (19) and Reiji Suto (28) before Nawaz Khan scored some quick boundaries at the end.

Leon Mehlig was the only My Ys bowler to claim a wicket, finishing with 3/21 off his four overs. 

The Braves score of 134/4 looked very competitive but against a star-studded My Ys batting line up they knew they would have to bowl and field well.

In reply, the My Ys were in big trouble early when firstly Ishaan Fartyal and then Neel Date were trapped LBW by Kazumasa Takahashi.

Spinners Nawaz Khan and Shotaro Takahashi then bowled with great accuracy, restricting the scoring of the My Ys. 

My Ys captain Marcus Thurgate batted patiently but was eventually bowled by Shotaro Takahashi. 

A stabilizing partnership between Tushar Chaturvedi (22) and Umar Gul (22) was not enough, the My Ys finishing their innings on 100/8.

Noguchi was named MVP for his 47 runs.

Chiba My Ys had won three consecutive U19 finals from 2016 to 2018 so this year’s win was a significant achievenment for the Braves, who were competting in the U19 league for the first time.

Many players from both teams will be representing Japan in next year’s U19 World Cup.