Shanghai CC v Japan National Men and Women: April 30 to May 4/5 (Tokyo to Mt. Fuji)

The Shanghai Cricket Club went on yet another ground breaking tour last month, this time to Japan to take on the national men’s and women’s teams.

The SCC had the Japan Men in a precarious position at 100/5 until a late stand of over 100 from Japan left them on 219 from their 50 overs. Darren Burns was the pick of the SCC bowlers with 3/27 from 10 overs. The total of 219 always seemed to be out of reach with the SCC being bundled all out for 93, Denzyl Allwright top-scoring with 32.

The second fixture against Japan’s National Women was a much closer contest with the SCC restricting the hosts to 155/8 from their 50 overs. Disco Rakowski led the chase with an emotional 101 and was well supported by Darren Burns on 29 not out at the end of the chase. We are building a strong relationship with the JCA and the manner in which they hosted our tourists was phenomenal. We are looking forward to showing them the same hospitality when they tour here again.

Special mention must go to two SCC alumni, Sanjay Poojary and Dave Rakowski, who travelled from the United States and Australia respectively to join this tour highlighting the special types of friendships cricket allows us to develop.