Japan’s First “Beach Cricket Tournament in Kaizuka Nishikinohama 2025” a Great Success!

Posted by

On May 18, 2025, Japan’s very first Beach Cricket Tournament in Kaizuka Nishikinohama 2025 was held at Nishikinohama Beach in Kaizuka City, Osaka. A total of 12 teams took part, creating an exciting and lively atmosphere throughout the day.

The tournament was part of the larger Beach Sports Festa in Kaizuka Nishikinohama, and kicked off with the HONDA Beach Clean, organized by Honda Osaka. Many participants joined forces to clean the shoreline, contributing to the preservation of the beach’s natural beauty.

Additionally, the Beach Festa was held with the support of the Nishikinohama Revival Project Group, featuring a variety of food trucks and refreshment booths. Our official tea partner, Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd., hosted a tea tasting booth that attracted many visitors and was a delightful addition to the festivities.

Twelve full teams competed in the tournament, and Osaka Ohtani University Team A claimed victory, following up on their previous win at the Social Cricket Tournament held in autumn last year.

Special awards were also presented:

  • “Most Energetic Team Award”: Kaizuka J-Girls

  • “Best Dresser Award”: Two players from the Creepamouse team

Winners received special prizes, including tea from Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd. and Lion Beer provided by Ikemitsu Enterprises Co., Ltd.

Despite the challenges unique to beach cricket—such as the soft sand, unpredictable ball bounce, and strong coastal winds—each team embraced the conditions and gave their all in a total of 18 matches, with each team playing three games.

Congratulations to all the participating teams!

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of this event: Honda Osaka, the Nishikinohama Revival Project Group, the Kansai Cricket Association, the Kaizuka City Tourism Association, Kaizuka City, Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd. and Ikemitsu Enterprises Co., Ltd.,and all the dedicated staff members involved in organizing the tournament.

WJPL 2025｜Day Two Report: Kato-Stafford Sets Standard

Posted by

Japan’s Mamushi starred through 15-year-old prodigy Ayaka Kato-Stafford on day two of the 2025 Women’s Japan Premier League. On a day where her team had to play twice, Kato-Stafford showed her skills with both bat and ball to put her team in a commanding position ahead of the weekend.

In the morning Mamushi were propelled to victory by an outstanding all round performance by Malsha Shehane whose 1 for 15, along with two for 26 from Kato-Stafford, reduced the Pacific Rays to 98 for six, despite 52* from Makinley Blows.

Stafford Kato (30*) then combined with Shehani (53) in an 83-run partnership that saw the team comfortably home by eight wickets.

Mamushi then followed that up by fbattling past the Titans in a tight afternoon contest.

The Titans never really got going on their way to a total of 77 all out before 25 from Kato-Stafford again made sure that the result was never really in doubt.

Mamushi are now well placed with three wins from three after the first two days of the tournament and will hope that the weather will allow the team to continue at full strength.

Highlights

Match Schedule

  • All Matches are T20 Format starting at 10am and 2pm
  • Tuesday, May 27th: Mamushi vs Titans / Titans vs Pacific Rays
  • Wednesday, May 28th: Mamushi vs Pacific Rays / Mamushi vs Titans
  • Friday, May 30th: Titans vs Pacific Rays / Pacific Rays vs Mamushi
  • Saturday, May 31st: Mamushi vs Titans / Titans vs Pacific Rays
  • Sunday, June 1st: Mamushi vs Pacific Rays / Finals

All matches will be live streamed on the JCA YouTube Channel

JCA Official Social Media

WJPL 2025｜Day One Report: Oda Shines for Mamushi

Posted by

Erika Oda struck the highest ever score in the Women’s Japan Premier League as the new for 2025 team Mamushi won their opening game of the tournament against the Titans Ladies.

After being put into bat, it was opening partner Akari Nishimura who showed the early attacking intent, but as Mamushi moved out of the powerplay so Oda started to accelerate. Her half century was raised in style as she smashed the first ball of the 14th over for the fourth six of her innings.

Oda was eventually dismissed for 61 from just 50 balls and received steady support from Sri Lanka star Malsha Shehani (28 from 24) in a partnership of 71 from 45 balls as Mamushi posted a total of 138 for five with all wickets falling to different bowlers.

Ahilya Chandel then ran riot with the ball, striking in her first over as they reduced the Titans to 28 for four in the eighth over. However, Tebogo Macheke (32 from 31) and Sumudu Witharana (27 from 29) built a recovery for the South African franchise.

Mamushi managed to dismiss both in quick succession before Chandel cleaned up the tail to finish with figures of four for 11 as Titans were dismissed for 106 meaning a win by 32 runs for the Japanese franchise.

Another new franchise, the Pacific Rays, then made a bad day worse for the Titans by edging a close contest in the afternoon.

Winning the toss for the second time in the day, this time Titans opted to bat first. Some unorthodox striking from Ayaka Kanada (15 from 20 balls) helped put some runs on the board, but the Rays bowlers gave nothing away and made regular inroads.

Korea captain Seri Chang dug in to make 16* from 31 balls and hold the innings together, but Grace Dignam led the attack and her three for 12 was instrumental in the Titans being bowled all out for 72.

When Nethmi Senarathna struck two boundaries in the opening four balls of the chase, it seemed the writing was on the wall for the Titans, only for the bowlers to come roaring back. Robyn Dormehl (two for 17) opened the door before Chang took over, matching Dignam’s three for 12.

However, the one wicket they could not take was that of Sandali Weerasinghe, who anchored the chase and marshalled the tail to finish 31* from 37 balls and hit the winning run with two wickets and 17 balls to spare.

The teams will be back tomorrow for Day Two.

Highlights

Match Schedule

  • All Matches are T20 Format starting at 10am and 2pm
  • Tuesday, May 27th: Mamushi vs Titans / Titans vs Pacific Rays
  • Wednesday, May 28th: Mamushi vs Pacific Rays / Mamushi vs Titans
  • Friday, May 30th: Titans vs Pacific Rays / Pacific Rays vs Mamushi
  • Saturday, May 31st: Mamushi vs Titans / Titans vs Pacific Rays
  • Sunday, June 1st: Mamushi vs Pacific Rays / Finals

All matches will be live streamed on the JCA YouTube Channel

JCA Official Social Media

Women’s Sano City International Trophy Team Announced

Posted by

The National Selection Committee for the Women’s Japan National Team, chaired by Vinay Iyer, have announced 15 players who will form the team for the Sano City International Trophy starting on 3rd June.

Ayaka Kato-Stafford is selected for the first time, which would make her, and brother Kazuma, the first brother-sister pair to represent the Japan National Teams. 

Women’s Japan National Team

  • Ahilya Chandel (Gordon Women’s Cricket Club)
  • Ayumi Fujikawa (Doshisha University Cricket Club)
  • Hinase Goto (Doshisha University Cricket Club)
  • Haruna Iwasaki (Sendai University Cricket Club)
  • Ayaka Kato-Stafford (Western Suburbs District Cricket Club)
  • Elena Kusuda-Nairn (Sendai University Cricket Club)
  • Rino Morita (Mirandars Cricket Club)
  • Akari Nishimura (Sendai University Cricket Club)
  • Erika Oda (Kawasaki Knight Riders Cricket Club)
  • Meg Ogawa (Wyverns Cricket Club)
  • Kurumi Ota (Kawasaki Knight Riders Cricket Club)
  • Seika Sumi (Sendai University Cricket Club)
  • Erika Toguchi-Quinn (Melbourne Cricket Club)
  • Mai Yanagida (Wyverns Cricket Club)
  • Nonoha Yasumoto (Kawasaki Knight Riders Cricket Club)

Congratulations to all those selected and good luck for the tournament.

The full match schedule is as follows: 

  • 3rd June (Tuesday) 09:30 – Japan vs Mongolia
  • 3rd June (Tuesday) 14:30 – China vs Hong Kong
  • 4th June (Wednesday) 09:30 – Japan vs Hong Kong
  • 4th June (Wednesday) 14:30 – Philippines vs China
  • 5th June (Thursday) 09:30 – Philippines vs Hong Kong
  • 5th June (Thursday 14:30 – China vs Mongolia
  • 6th June (Friday) 09:30 – Japan vs China
  • 6th June (Friday) 14:30 – Mongolia vs Philippines
  • 7th June (Saturday) 09:30 – Japan vs Philippines
  • 7th June (Saturday) 14:30 – Hong Kong vs Mongolia
  • 8th June (Sunday) 09:30 – 3rd Place Playoff
  • 8th June (Sunday) 14:30 – Final

Venue: Sano International Cricket Ground

Address: 300-1 Tochimoto-cho, Sano City, Tochigi 327-0312, Japan
Admission: Free for all matches

All matches will be live streamed on the JCA YouTube Channel

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/

JCA Official Social Media

All You Need to Know : WJPL | 03

Posted by

The Women’s Japan Premier League is back for 2025, with even more cricket this year!

With the growing numbers of female cricketers in Japan, we have increased the tournament to three teams who will face off in a double round robin of T20 matches across six days (May 27th – June 1st). 

The teams will have a different look this year with each having its own international feel. 

  • Mamushi: The Japanese Vipers filled with the top local talent and a sprinkling of stars from overseas. 
  • Titans: Featuring four professionals and two staff from the South African franchise.
  • Pacific Rays: Three players from down under will lead the way for this shiny new team, including one from our partners Cricket Without Borders. 

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 2025. 

If you’re a fan from previous years then welcome back and we hope you enjoy the new model. If you’re new, welcome to the JCA family and check out the highlights from 2024 as well as the full squads and match schedule below. 

Who are you supporting??

Match Schedule

  • All Matches are T20 Format starting at 10am and 2pm
  • Tuesday, May 27th: Mamushi vs Titans / Titans vs Pacific Rays
  • Wednesday, May 28th: Mamushi vs Pacific Rays / Mamushi vs Titans
  • Friday, May 30th: Titans vs Pacific Rays / Pacific Rays vs Mamushi
  • Saturday, May 31st: Mamushi vs Titans / Titans vs Pacific Rays
  • Sunday, June 1st: Mamushi vs Pacific Rays / Finals 

Squad List

Mamushi

  • Chelsea Moscript (Australia) (C)
  • Ahilya Chandel 
  • Akari Nishimura
  • Alisha Bates (Australia)
  • Alyssa Humphries (Australia)
  • Angelina Genford (Australia)
  • Ayaka Kato-Stafford
  • Ayumi Fujikawa
  • Binda Katuwal
  • Erika Oda
  • Haruna Iwasaki
  • Kurumi Ota 
  • Malsha Shehani (Sri Lanka)

Reserve

  • Mai Yanagida

 

Titans

  • Alsia Rudolph (Titans) (C)
  • Ayaka Kanada
  • Bianca Dyson
  • Elena Kusuda-Nairn
  • Ishani Karunarathna
  • Kgalalelo Matsepe (Titans)
  • Kiyo Fujikawa 
  • Meg Ogawa
  • Nilakshana Sandamini (Sri Lanka)
  • Robyn Dormehl (South Africa)
  • Seri Chang (South Korea)
  • Tebogo Macheke (Titans)
  • Tiani Van De Heuvel (Titans)

Pacific Rays

  • Makinley Blows (Australia) (C)
  • Grace Dignam (Australia)
  • Grace Michell (England)
  • Hinase Goto
  • Mamta Kaswan
  • Nethmi Senarathna (Sri Lanka)
  • Nonoha Yasumoto
  • Palak Gundecha
  • Rino Morita
  • Saheli Ashinshani
  • Sandali Weerasinghe (Sri Lanka)
  • Shrunali Ranade
  • Vivien Field (Australia)

Japan Earn 2-0 Win Over Cook Islands

Posted by

The Men’s Japan National Team eased to a second victory in as many days over the Cook Islands to wrap up a 2-0 series win and end the international spring season on a positive note.

The victory was set up by a chanceless 60 from returning captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming who, along with a busy 37* from Wataru Miyauchi, led the team to 139 for eight from the 20 overs.

Japan were able to do as they often  do with the ball, which was apply pressure with runs on the board, despite a more positive outlook from the visitors as they took 14 runs off the first over of the chase.

Abdul Samad started the rot however, striking twice in three balls in his opening over before Charlie Hara-Hinze chipped in next over. Benjamin Ito-Davis (three for 21) then took over and the Islanders were eventually all out for 97 in the 18th over as Japan sealed a 42-run win.

Men’s Japan National Team and Cook Islands International Series schedule is as follows:

Highlights

  • 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/

JCA Official Social Media

Japan Edge Cook Islands to Lead Series 1-0

Posted by

The Men’s Japan National Team were indebted to the all-round brilliance of Sabaorish Ravichandran to get them home by two wickets against the Cook Islands in Game One of the two match series in Sano.

After winning the toss and batting, the visitors made a positive start and raced to 42 for one after five overs before some excellent bowling from Benjamin Ito-Davis (one for 14 from four overs) and Abdul Samad (two for 13) began to rein them in.

Ravichandran came on to bowl relatively later than usual and struck in his second over and went on to collect four for 16 to grind the Cook Islands down to end 104 for eight from their 20 overs.

Again the visitors made the better start to the innings, striking twice in the first over and Japan were reeling at 11 for three when Ravichandran came in, which quickly became 20 for four.

However a fifth T20 International half century, made as wickets continued to fall around him, showed the rest of the team how to construct an innings and, although he was dismissed with four still needed, Japan were able to get over the line with two wickets remaining.

The final match of the series takes place on Wednesday.

Men’s Japan National Team and Cook Islands International Series schedule is as follows:

  • 13th May (Tuesday) 9:30 – Japan vs Cook Islands (Japan won by 2 wickets)
  • 14th May (Wednesday) 9:30 – Japan vs Cook Islands

Highlights

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/

JCA Official Social Media

Thailand Win Sano International Tri Series

Posted by

Thailand emerged as winners of the Sano Men’s International Tri Series with a six-wicket win over hosts Japan.

After being asked to bowl, Thailand made regular breakthroughs with senior bowler Jandre Coetzee to the fore, taking three wickets for 10 runs in his four overs.

At 19 for three Japan were in the mire, but captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (38) and Sabaorish Ravichandran (21) adapted well to show that runs were there to be made as they took Japan to a well placed 72 for four with seven overs to go.

However, the wheels came off in the 14th over, first as Ravichandran was run out, and then as Phanuphong Thongsa clean bowled Japanese batters off successive balls.

From then on it was a scrap for Japan, who dug in to finish the innings 106 for eight, which had been enough to win each of their previous three matches.

Thailand however, had learned from their time in Japan and went about the chase in patient manner as Akshay Kumar Yadav anchored things with a patient 37 from 46 balls, before captain Austin Lazarus resurrected his teams title bid with an outstanding 39* from 29 balls, including two big leg-side sixes as as the chase got tight.

Lazarus was there to strike the winning boundary off the penultimate ball to spark Thai celebrations as their tour ended in positive fashion.

Highlights

Awards

  • Best Batter: Akshay Kumar Yadav (Thailand)
  • Best Bowler: Jandre Coetzee (Thailand)
  • MVP: Sabaorish Ravichandran (Japan)

Men’s Sano International Tri-Series schedule is as follows:

Men’s Japan National Team and Cook Islands International Series schedule is as follows:

  • 13th May (Tuesday) 9:30 – Japan vs Cook Islands
  • 14th May (Wednesday) 9:30 – Japan vs Cook Islands

Good Luck Team!

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/

JCA Official Social Media

Japan & Thailand Contest Final After Washout

Posted by

Japan and Thailand will contest the final of the Men’s Sano International Tri-Series after a double washout on day four of the tournament.

Heavy rain overnight continued into the morning which accounted for the first match of the day between the hosts and Thailand, meaning Japan were confirmed as finalists. Despite the result putting Japan into the final, there was disappointment as Japan were deprived of the chance to add to their 14 consecutive T20 International victories, with the record being 15.

The Cook Islands then needed to play and win in their match against Japan in the afternoon, but as the day wore on in became increasingly clear that any play was impossible and the umpires called time at 3:30pm, meaning elimination for the Cook Islands on net run rate.

The Cook Islands have the consolation of two further matches on Tuesday and Wednesday next week against Japan and will hope for better luck with the weather.

The final is due to start at 9:30am local time, provided the water has suitably drained from the pitch and outfield.

Men’s Sano International Tri-Series schedule is as follows:

  • 7th May (Wednesday) 14:30 – Cook Islands vs Thailand (Cook Islands won by 3 wickets)
  • 8th May (Thursday) 14:30 – Japan vs Thailand (Japan won by 61 runs)
  • 9th May (Friday) 9:30 – Thailand vs Cook Islands (Thailand won by 8 wickets)
  • 9th May (Friday) 14:30 – Japan vs Cook Islands (Japan won by 34 runs)
  • 10th May (Saturday) 9:30 – Japan vs Thailand (Match Abandoned)
  • 10th May (Saturday) 14:30 – Japan vs Cook Islands (Match Abandoned)
  • 11th May (Sunday) 9:30 – Final: Japan vs Thailand

Men’s Japan National Team and Cook Islands International Series schedule is as follows:

  • 13th May (Tuesday) 9:30 – Japan vs Cook Islands
  • 14th May (Wednesday) 9:30 – Japan vs Cook Islands

Good Luck Team!

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/

JCA Official Social Media

Japan Defeat Cook Islands in Sano Tri Series

Posted by

The Men’s Japan National Team earned a second win in the Sano International Tri-Series to make it two from two in the tournament so far after seeing off the Cook Islands by 34 runs.

Having been asked to bat first, Japan were indebted to Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake for his 33 at the top of the order, an innings made under pressure as wickets fell around him.

While there were small contributions down the order, which was enough to get Japan passed the 100 mark, the Cook Islands would have been pleased to take all ten Japanese wickets for just 105.

Just like yesterday however, Japan struck twice early on to leave the Islanders facing an uphill struggle as the Japanese spinners applied the squeeze.

Charlie Hara-Hinze made the early breakthroughs, while Ben Ito-Davis was miserly as well, with both being backed up by some excellent catching.

Makoto Taniyama, who had early struck some useful runs at the end of the innings, ended with figures of four for 18 to wrap up the win and claim the MVP award.

That wrapped up a tough day for the Cook Islands, who also lost to Thailand in the morning by eight wickets.

Those results mean that Japan need to win one of their remaining two games to confirm a place in Sunday’s final, while net run rate could also be a factor in deciding their opponents.

Highlights

Men’s Sano International Tri-Series schedule is as follows:

Men’s Japan National Team and Cook Islands International Series schedule is as follows:

  • 13th May (Tuesday) 9:30 – Japan vs Cook Islands
  • 14th May (Wednesday) 9:30 – Japan vs Cook Islands

Good Luck Team!

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/

JCA Official Social Media