Japan ruminates 'unbelievable experience' at maiden U19WC
Japan finish the group stage of their maiden Under-19 World Cup campaign empty-handed, but full of pride and optimism.
What a journey.
The Japanese might have finished the group stage of their maiden ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup without any wins. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a roaring success.
They took on Australia, Sri Lanka and Ireland and held their own. They more than proved they belong on the world stage.
Ireland overcome Japan's resistance | Match Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
Into the Super Six are the European side, whereas Japan sign off after a spirited display.
It's important to point out their campaign isn't completely over; they face Tanzania on Saturday in a grading fixture, with both sides looking to end their so far-winless crusades on a high.
But after their Group A loss to Ireland, completing that stage of the tournament, it was time to reflect on the experience it's been so far, for a nation still making their way in the cricketing landscape.
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Moore double strike propels Japan | U19 CWC 2026
Timothy Moore's double strike gets Japan back into the game.
In Japan's final group encounter, Ireland scraped home by four wickets with two overs spare, despite a strong bowling display from captain Kazuma Kato-Stafford (2/42 off nine overs). Timothy Moore also took a pair of wickets to keep the Irish honest in their run chase.
Earlier, Charles Hara-Hinze made an impressive 57 off 70, while being supported admirably from a number of batting cameos up and down the order.
Charles Hara-Hinze plays a brave knock | Player Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
In Japan's first Under-19 World Cup appearance, Hugo Tani-Kelly landed himself in the record books by making an unforgettable century, scoring 101* off 162 balls, reaching the milestone on the second-last ball of their innings. And while it was a comfortable 203-run win for Sri Lanka, Moore's three wickets was another moment worth celebrating.
And then against Australia, in what was ultimately an eight-wicket win by the defending champs, Tani-Kelly again proved he's unafraid of the big moments, scoring 79* off 135 deliveries. The 17-year-old has averaged bang on 200 runs for the tournament so far.
Tani-Kelly's historic hundred | Player Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
First Japan player to score a century at this level.
"It's not every day an Associate nation gets to come up against three full Test level nations and three of the best in the world," a reflective Kato-Stafford said after their match with Ireland.
The captain was full of pride for how his side performed.
"(It was) absolutely huge. An unbelievable experience. We've got a number of guys, I think more than half the squad, available for the next World Cup, so it's a really good experience for them, especially playing under pressure, playing against some world class players, who I have no doubt will go onto big things."
"Just being able to put Japan Cricket on the world stage is just a really good honour and hopefully it's onto bigger and better things from here.
"We've learned how to (handle) a lot of pressure against us. A few teams got off to really good starts against us, so being able to bounce back from that, being able to use our different options. Normally we've been reliant on a few bowlers through the middle (but) this time around we've been able to rely on a few other guys. With the bat, especially, I've been really happy (that) I've been able to rely on a number of players who have really stood up for us, so I've been really happy with that.
"Happy overall with the experience, the fight we've shown and being able to play our Japan way."