As part of its ongoing commitment to support the development of Associate Member Nations, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is extending its assistance to the Japanese National Cricket Team, who arrived in Sri Lanka last night (31st July) for a preparatory camp ahead of the East Asia-Pacific (EAP) and Asia Region World Cup Qualifiers.
During their stay in Sri Lanka, the Japanese team will engage in a preparation camp, which will consist of seven practice games.
As part of the facilitation, Sri Lanka Cricket will provide the Japanese teams with four U19 Provincial Squads; match balls; match officials, scorers; and also the venue facilities.
Out of the seven games, five games will be played at the Surrey Grounds in Maggona, and two games will take place at the NCC Grounds, Colombo.
Japan Cricket Association’s Chief Operating Officer, Alan Curr expects the Sri Lanka tour will help his side assimilate better in Oman, which will host World Cup qualifiers in October.
“I think it will be a good opportunity to really test ourselves against a stronger opposition. We will get a feel of what we might experience in Oman, particularly when it comes to temperature.
Also, the pitch we play on at home is quite a low, slow surface [Unlike in Sri Lanka]. I think this opportunity is going to be a big positive for us,” said Curr.
This initiative underscores SLC’s commitment to cricket beyond its borders, having previously assisted Japanese cricket through numerous collaborations.
These include sending Sri Lankan coaching staff and curators to Japan, sending the Sri Lanka Emerging Team to Japan, and imparting technical and infrastructure expertise.
This initiative is part of an MOU signed between Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) last year, where SLC assured to help Japan develop its game through collaborations, exchanges, and also providing expertise pertaining to the game.
