A new dawn in Nagoya as Japan ground shines in first event

By Daniel Beswick in Japan

Japan’s journey in international cricket saw another step forward this month with the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin passing its first test at the recently-concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier.

Hosting six of the 21 fixtures at the tournament, a pathway event to the 2028 T20 World Cup, the ground won seasoned fans and newcomers alike, and now stands ready to host some of the world’s best teams at the Asian Games in September.

Fans in Nisshin supporting Japan at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier.

A re-modelled baseball facility around 20 kilometres from Nagoya’s city centre, the ground was completed in late March, with a hybrid pitch square the finishing touch. The ground accommodated up to a thousand fans at the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, with temporary stands set to cater for 2000 come the multi-sport event.

Japan Cricket Association CEO and former international Naoki Alex Miyaji was overjoyed by the ground’s success and the reception of the new complex.

“The outfield was really good and the pitch played well. So, there's huge positives first from the ground side,” Miyaji began.

“We also had a lot of media coverage and hundreds of people turned up for the event, seeing cricket for the first time and they seemed to enjoy it really well. 

“So, the general public were there, kids from schools were there, politicians were there and so I think the vibe down there was really good as well.”

The wicket, which saw a 359-run encounter between Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands, has characteristics of both Asian and Pacific wickets. Using the same technology as Vanuatu’s hybrid pitch in Port Vila, the first of its type to host international cricket, the Korogi Sports Park’s surface has also been compared to pitches in Pakistan that offer both bounce and turn.

The conditions are not be completely alien to the other competitors at the Asian Games, and Miyaji has called on local fans to support the Games’ hosts against their more-fancied rivals, with both the men and women to feature as automatic qualifiers.

Japan men's captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming batting at the recent East Asia-Pacific Qualifier.

“It's the first time that we're going to have some Full Members come here and play cricket and I think one of the things that we want the local community to understand, realise or get excited about is knowing how big this is in cricket, and it's on their front door,” Miyaji reiterated.

“There are limited tickets available, so once these fixtures are set and the tickets are available internationally as well, they're just going to go out, (be) sold out very quickly. 

“So, we're trying to excite the local community about cricket and the teams coming so that they can come and watch and feel the excitement.”

Clement Tommy of Vanuatu keeps wicket as Esam Rahman of Japan hits a cover drive at the recent East Asia-Pacific Qualifier.

While there were some curious looks for newcomers clutching pamphlets, and security preventing onlookers from walking behind the bowler's arm, cricket has enjoyed periods of popularity with Japan's youth. The sport in some cases as a Bukatsu, a voluntary extracurricular school club activity, either in high school or university.

Current Japan internationals Wataru Miyauchi and Makoto Taniyama are alumni of schools with cricket programs, alongside a number of former internationals and several working for the JCA. Taniyama, a leg-spinner who modelled his action while watching Shane Warne videos on YouTube, also plays in shirt number 23 in honour of the great.

At the recently-concluded Qualifier, Taniyama became the highest wicket-taker in Japan colours, with the association keeping records of all matches and events, including those that preceded T20I status. The bowler he overtook? His national association’s CEO, who has seen those who played the game in previous years rekindle ties to their youth via Japanese commentary, as well as exposing the game to a new generation of fans with an easier entry.

“I did meet some people down in Aichi (the prefecture of both Nisshin and Nagoya) who played cricket when they were in university that we hadn't had contact with for 15-20 years, who were online and commented about watching the (recently-concluded) T20 World Cup in Japanese and being excited about it,” Miyaji, who claimed 74 wickets in 58 outings for Japan, explained.

“I think there's a lot more people out there that are watching cricket that we don't know about. Japanese communities that are either picking up cricket or keeping, staying involved in cricket after playing when they were younger. 

“Having streams of our matches (is vital) but being able to show that the highest level of cricket in the world in Japanese is really valuable.”

Strong viewership numbers back up Japan’s climb on the high performance front, which has continued in the last 12 months. After going unbeaten in World Cup qualification, the men’s U19 team claimed victory over Tanzania to complete a strong showing in Namibia at the tournament proper.

The senior women’s side knocked over a higher-ranked Hong Kong in the final of a home pentagular series in June last year, while the senior men are fresh from arguably their greatest ever victory, beating Papua New Guinea in Sano during in the recently-completed Qualifier.

The Japanese only finished second to Papua New Guinea on net run rate, and Miyaji hopes the success sparks a Japanese jolt at the Asian Games.

“It is the only opportunity that we have currently for our senior teams to be playing Full Members.

“For the men, playing the top-level countries and having a chance to get through and play in the quarter-finals would be an exciting opportunity.

“For the women’s team, we think it's straight into the quarter-finals, so whoever we get, that'll be an exciting encounter for us.”

Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, captain of the men’s national team and the country’s most-prolific run-scorer, knows how significant a moment like a home Asian Games can be.

“The opportunity to potentially compete against some of the strongest cricket nations in the world on one of the biggest sporting stages in Asia is something that can inspire the next generation of players across Japan,” Kadowaki-Fleming said.

“Having a world-class venue in such an important city (Nagoya) creates huge opportunities for the growth and visibility of the game. For Japan Cricket to continue developing long-term, having a legacy turf cricket facility in Nagoya is absolutely essential. 

“It gives us the ability to host major events, develop local players, and create a lasting home for cricket in one of the key regions of the country.”

The Japan national team thank fans for their support in Nagoya.

The JCA are under no illusions that the most difficult part of the ground's journey could be after the Asian Games, with fans’ attention and media spotlight going elsewhere.

To this point, the future of the facility after the Games remains unclear. Alongside Vision 2027 where the association has focused on holistic coaching strategies, participation numbers and elite success, the JCA are also eager to add the Nisshin site to their permanent rotation of grounds, alongside the Sano International Cricket Ground.

The board is unlikely to have access to the land or the resources for a wicket prepared to play cricket for more than 20 days a year at the venue, though an additional synthetic wicket facility is also in the works, and Miyaji is desperate to ensure the site’s potential is not wasted.

“I think the facility's legacy is something we're still working on,” Miyaji added. 

“This (additional) venue is going to be smaller and it doesn't have grass on it, so there are still some areas that we need to work on.”

“The training facility at the ground is going to be available, and we're working on trying to build up the momentum towards the Games so that we do actually have a plan so the ground is maintained to a certain level.”

Looking at the positives, Miyaji is of the belief that cricket in Nagoya has a potential to go from strength-to-strength.

“I think the biggest thing is that the local city council is really supportive and excited about having cricket and having the Asian Games in their city. 

“The mayor is pumped up and he's been getting the board of education and the business communities involved as well.

“We're getting access to different sort of city facilities and promoting the Games and cricket as well. I think that sort of local community engagement is going to be the big legacy.”

“We've got the Sano International Cricket Ground and if we can get something in Osaka as well, build up the ground in Kaizuka, then we've potentially got three locations that we can host high-level cricket.”

“That really puts us on the global stage if we can be hosting global events.”

Cricket at the Asian Games begins on 17 September, with 10 teams competing in the men's draw, and eight teams in the women's event.