Japan Cricket Annual Awards Night – 26th November

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Celebrating the 2016 club cricket award winners

This is a night when the Japan cricket community gathers together to acknowledge standout performances across the JCL, Japan Cup, Women’s League, JPL, University Leagues and more.

All players, volunteers & supporters welcome. Details as follows:

  • All you can drink 2½ hours! (Alcohol & soft drink plan available)
  • Finger food provided
  • Men’s Alcohol plan ￥5500 Non-alcohol plan ￥4000
  • Ladies Alcohol plan ￥4500 Non-alcohol plan ￥3000
  • Students Alcohol plan ￥4000 Non-alcohol plan ￥3000
  • Several prizes to be won

VENUE:

YOKOHAMA COUNTRY & ATHLETIC CLUB
11-1 Yaguchidai, Naka-ku, Yokohama
ycac.or.jp
Dress code: Jacket & Tie or equivalent
Sat November 26th, 2016
18:30-21:00

East Asia Cup – Team of the Tournament

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Following the conclusion of the East Asia Cup, the tournament committee have selected the combined best 11 players from all four teams competing, as well as a 12th Man. These players have been chosen partly based on statistics, but also on their overall contribution and importance to the team they represent.

Although there are no prizes for making the final XI, we would like to congratulate all the players on their excellent efforts during the four days of competition.

The team is as follows:

  1. Lee Kangmin (WK) (Korea)
  2. Makoto Taniyama (Japan)
  3. Masaomi Kobayashi (Japan)
  4. Zhang Yu Fei (China)
  5. Choi Ji Won (Korea)
  6. Jun Hyun Woo (Captain) (Korea)
  7. Sung Dae Sik (Korea)
  8. Kim Yong Tae (Korea)
  9. Kohei Wakita (Japan)
  10. Muneeb Siddique (Japan)
  11. Li Kai Ming (CHK Sportsroad Dragons)
  12. Henry Siu (CHK Sportsroad Dragons)

The Japan Cricket Association would like to again thank all the teams for coming to Japan and competing. We are all excited about the future of the future of the East Asia Cup.

Korea Win East Asia Cup

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Korea broke Japanese hearts on Sunday at the Sano International Ground as they held their nerve to win the inaugural Men’s East Asia Cup after a battling display by the hosts.

htc-6438Batting first Japan had to work hard against some excellent Korean seam bowling, both openers delivering maidens early on as the batting side struggled. Masaomi Kobayashi managed to get things moving and top scored with 22, which took him passed 100 runs for the tournament and to the leading run scorer award, while Marcus Thurgate struck the only six of the innings on his way to a run-a-ball 16. The total of exactly 100/7 looked a little short but defendable if things went their way.

Although the Japanese opening bowlers were not able to restrict the scoring, the introduction of Kohei Wakita and Mian Siddique seemed to turn things back in the hosts favour. Siddique claimed the best figures of the tournament with 4/12 and Wakita grabbed two more to make him the leading wicket-taker.

Captain Jun Hyunwoo, who had earlier taken a blinding catch which earned him the “Champagne Moment” award, top scored with 26, but it was the calmness of Sung Dae Sik (18*) who saw the Korean team home with one over to spare and four wickets remaining.

htc-2284Earlier the CHK Sportsroad Dragons had grabbed their first win of the tournament, beating China in the third place play off as Jason Lui led them to 128/4 with a brilliant 48* from just 33 balls, including two big sixes. In the Chase China lost wickets regularly and were eventually dismissed for 99, Henry Siu claiming 3/23.

The tournament was played out in front of a decent crowd of at least a few hundred, while 14,000 tuned in on the live stream to watch the Final. In the post match presentation Choi Jiwon was awarded the tournament MVP, the prize being a Lewis Cricket Bat provided by the independent bat maker from England, while the British Airways tickets were won in the raffle by Mr Rupert Middle.

Excellent weather throughout made for a fantastic event that the Japan Cricket Association would like to thank all of those who came to watch, especially the representatives from AQCC, Chiba Sharks and Tigers CC, and those who sent in support via social media sites.

Day of Drama at SICG as Japan and China claim narrow Wins

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In the precursor to the Final Day of the East Asia Cup, Japan and China earned hard fought wins over Korea and the CHK Dragons respectively.

In the morning match it was the two teams without a win so far and both looked much more comfortable as they put on a highly entertaining, and tense, game of cricket.

Batting first the Dragons posted 99/8 with contributions all the way down the order and it was Xu Hao who caught the eye with the ball, grabbing 4/17, the best figures of the tournament so far.

The chase got off to a rollicking start thanks to Yan Huawen who struck five boundaries in a run-a-ball 25. A collapse came shortly after as the Dragons grabbed five wickets for just 12 runs to have China reeling at 70/7 and needing a further 30 from 26 balls.

Enter Xu Hao again, whose calmness belied his inexperience as his 16* from 15 earned China their first win of the tournament with four balls to spare and just two wickets in hand, plus himself the MVP award. The Dragons will be hurting this evening, but determined the reverse the result when it matters on Sunday.

captainsIn the second match Amigo Kobayashi won the toss and for the 6th match in succession the team wining the toss chose to bat first. Japan posted 144/7 with the innings anchored by Wataru Miyauchi who scored 37 and was ably supported by Marcus Thurgate (23), Jun Yamashita (23) and Ryoya Tsutsui (18*) who all scored at a strike rate better than 100.

With all those players age under 21 the future certainly looks bright for Japan.

Korea made some changes to their batting order and a slow start left them 24/4 after 8.1 overs. Then came the big hitters and Kim Yongtae was typically robust in in striking 30 from 17 as he dragged his side back into the match.

Kobayashi used his bowlers cleverly and whenever he really needed a wicket it was Kohei Wakita who came up trumps. The young speedster knocked over four Korean batsmen for 13 runs and was the outstanding player on show as Japan defended their total with ten runs to spare. Korea finished 134/8 and Wakita took home the MVP award along with the new best figures of the tournament and first place in the leading bowler category.

The matches on Sunday promise to be exciting as four evenly matched teams face off. Remember you can follow live on ESPN Cricinfo, CricHQ as well as watch live on Abema Fresh. Tune in to cheer on Japan!

The JCA Elite Umpiring Panel were all present on Day Three

The JCA Elite Umpiring Panel were all present on Day Three

Japan & Korea Maintain Winning Ways

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Japan & Korea Maintain Winning WaysJapan and Korea both registered comfortable wins on Day Two of the East Asia Cup, booking themselves each a place in the Sunday Final.

Korea, who played China in the first match, were asked to bowl first after China won the toss. Korea grabbed the initiative right from the first ball as Choi Jiwon clean bowled Song Yangyang and went on to claim two wickets for just six runs from his four overs.

A 37-run partnership between Tian Suqing (20) and Han Junhui (18) gave China a boost and they finished 76/8 at the end of their 20 overs.

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Korea did not have the same fireworks as the previous day, their only six being the final shot played to complete a win by seven wickets as Jiwon capped a great day and won his second MVP award of the tournament.

Japan took on the Hong Kong Dragons in the afternoon fixture and Masaomi (Amigo) Kobayashi became the fourth captain in a row to win the toss and bat first, but the only one so far to go on and win the match.

Kobayashi was again the mainstay of the batting, scoring 48 from 54 balls to anchor the innings and some sharp running in the last seven overs propelled the hosts to 123/7.

In reply Japan were electric in the field with a brilliant catch from Marcus Thurgate and a direct hit run outs by Ken Okoshi and Rui Matsumura. The bowlers did their part too with Makoto Taniyama again to the fore with three wickets for just five runs off his leg spin, the highlight being bowling Henry Siu around his legs.

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A win by 89 runs was completed inside 15 overs and leaves The Dragons vying for third place with China while Japan will take on Korea for the title.

Kobayashi was awarded the MVP and also sits on top of the leading run scorer charts at the halfway stage, with countryman Makoto Taniyama the leading wicket taker with five scalps so far for just 13 runs in his eight overs bowled.

In a quirk of the fixtures Saturday and Sunday will feature the same two matches as China play Hong Kong in the morning before Japan and KOrea face off in the afternoon. Although both matches are dead rubbers there are still MVP points on offer along with the chance for players to further their claim as best batsman and bowler.

East Asia Cup Begins With Wins For Japan & Korea

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In perfect conditions at the Sano International Cricket Ground the inaugural Men’s East Asia Cup began with stirring wins for Japan against China and Korea versus Hong Kong Dragons.

In Game One China won the toss and opted to bat under perfect blue skies. While their innings was slow to begin with, captain Zhang Yu Fei played the innings of the day as his 53* was the stand out performance in a total of 80/9.

The Japanese bowlers generally impressed. Despite no wickets for the two debutants Rui Matsurmura and Mian Siddique, the ever reliable Takuro Hagihara struck with his first ball and leg spinner Makoto Taniyama weaved a mystical spell. Kohei Wakita was the pick of the bowlers however, hitting the stumps three times on his way to 3/15.

The chase looked tricky after some early wickets, but captain Masaomi Kobayashi (29*) used all his experience to guide the team home to a five wicket victory.

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In Game Two the fireworks really started as Korea smashed 13 sixes on their way to a mammoth 171/5 against the CHK Sportsroad Dragons. Choi Jiwon top scored with 45* from 39 deliveries and had support from the entire middle order who swung hard and connected frequently.

In reply the Dragons never really got going, the young opening bowler Eoh Unair Khan grabbed two wickets in his first over and after that the task always looked too much. Korea bowled with great discipline to keep the Dragons to 75/7 from their 20 overs and secure a win by 96 runs.

The big win for Korea puts them top of the table after the first round of matches. On Friday they will come up against China in the morning while Japan will take on the Dragons in the afternoon match.

Matches can be followed live on ESPN Cricinfo, CricHQ and on the live stream on Abema Fresh.

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14-Man Squad Named For East Asia Cup

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Chairman of Selectors Chris Thurgate has named the 14 players chosen to represent Japan in the upcoming East Asia Cup, to be hosted in Sano from 3rd – 6th November.

The 14 are chosen from the 19-players selected in the 2016 National Training Squad, although Tsuyoshi Takada is unavailable due to being in Australia.

Thurgate said: “This is an exciting opportunity to give players some valuable match experience in the lead up to the EAP World Cup Qualify in Bendigo next year. There are lots of young players and we hope this will help further their development.”

The squad is as follows:

Masaomi Kobayashi © – MAX CC

Takuro Hagihara – MAX CC

Rui Matsumura – Chiba Sharks CC

Wataru Miyauchi – Uenomiya Junior High School & High School CC

Ken Okoshi – Wyverns CC

Tomoki Ota – Wyverns CC

Mian Muneeb Siddique – Chiba Sharks CC

Makoto Taniyama – MAX CC

Marcus Thurgate – Chiba Sharks CC

Nozomi Tomizawa – Chiba Sharks CC

Ryoya Tsutsui – Keio University CC

Kohei Wakita – International Buddhist University CC

Shodai Yamada – Wyverns CC

Jun Yamashita – International Buddhist University CC

Tochigi Make it Three-in-a-row at Japan Cup Finals

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Tochigi has proved again that they are the best T20 club in Japan, finishing the season unbeaten and retaining their Japan Cup title after grinding out a three wicket win in the national final at the Sano International Cricket Ground over a determined Alpha Quest.

Leg-spinner Raj Kumar Pradhan completed a magnificent three days by claiming 5/23 in the final on the way to being awarded the tournament MVP.

Tochigi looked set for an easy win in the final, bowling out Alpha Quest for 75. However, the South Kanto champions, who also entered the Final unbeaten, showed enormous fight. Late wickets by Nandha Rangasamy (4/13) had Tochigi in trouble before they steadied to reach the target seven wickets down.

Tochigi had reached the final with a comfortable win over a young Kinki side; while Alpha Quest were made to work to reach the modest target of 91 set by Wyverns in the other semi final.

Hokushinetsu, Men In Blue, Tokai and Tohoku rounded out the minor placings.

Tochigi’s Rashid Rana was named the Best Batsman of the tournament after accumulating more than 200 runs and anchoring his team’s innings in the final. The Best Bowler award went to leg-spinner David Miles, a shining light for bottom-placed Tohoku.

The Japan Cricket Association would like to thank all of the volunteers, in particular the umpires, who contributed to making the tournament a success.

East Asia Cup Taking Place Thursday 3rd – Sunday 6th November 2016 at SICG

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Following the media release of 19th February 2016, the East Asia Cup between China, Japan, South Korea and the Hong Kong Sportsroad Dragons will commence on Thursday 3rd November.

The tournament will be hosted at the newly named Sano International Cricket Ground and will run for four days, culminating on the 6th November which will take place in combination with the annual Sano UK Festival.

The Final day will be a family friendly event with the opportunity to partake in small challenges and win a variety of prizes, chief among them a pair of tickets on British Airways to London.

CEO Naoki Miyaji said: “This is the centrepiece event of the year for us in Japan and we are excited to welcome the three visiting teams.

“The Dragons return again after visiting last year, but this is the first visit in 15 years for South Korea the first ever by China, so we look forward to seeing how their teams have developed.”

There will be plenty of talent on show, with Japanese expectations resting on the shoulders of Captain Masaomi Kobayashi to score the runs and the leg spin of Makoto Taniyama to provide the mystery.

Similarly Hong Kong will look to the bat of Siefried Wai while spinner Li Kai Ming will be the danger-man with the ball.

Although less is known about the Chinese and Korean players, a recent tour by Japan’s University XI to Incheon highlighted the huge hitting Yongtae Kim as a potential entertainer while Hyobeom An looks like an exciting quick bowler.

All four teams promise to be evenly matched and a hard fought tournament promises to be compelling viewing. The schedule can be found by clicking here.

MAX Cricket Club Retain Japan Cricket League Title

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MAX CC has won the the 2016 Japan Cricket League title for the second consecutive year after beating Tigers CC in the Grand Final on Saturday 29th September at Sano International Cricket Ground.

The full match report can be read on the “One Short” blog here: https://cricket.or.jp/en/archives/3486

Congratulations to MAX and thank you to the JCL Committee for their continued organisation of a great competition.