JCA One-Day Cricket League

Predators play in the Division 1 of the JC1 League (1-Day competition) organised by the Japan Cricket Association (JCA). This is the premier 1-Day Cricket League in Japan and is aligned with the International Cricket Council (ICC) . The format of this League is 40 over per innings and it is played on weekends at Fuji City which is approximately 1-2hrs away from Tokyo. The two Fuji pitches are the best grounds and pitches in Japan and even though the wickets are synthetic astro-turf, it allows teams to play good competitive cricket. The size of the grounds are quite large, and there is something quite unique about playing cricket at the foothills of Mount Fuji.

There are 2 Divisions in the JC1 League. The games are keenly contested and cricket is at a level akin to lower club level in Australia.

Japanese Cricketers are highly disciplined in the field and have learned very good technique with the bat and ball throughout their cricket experiences. Even though Japanese Cricket history is quite young, a game against a team filled with Japanese Nationals is never easy and each year the progress made in skills and technique increases by each player.

For a comprehensive look at Cricket in Japan, see the JCA website which is both in English and Japanese at
http://www.cricket.or.jp/eng/

KCL League (Kanto Cricket League)

The Predators have joined the KCL from 2009 and will play a 5 game season (plus finals) at the Shizuoka ground. The KCL has 2 groups of 6 teams with the Predators in Group A alongside Nagoya Cricket Club, IndianTigers, Indian Engineers, Shizuoka Kytes and Serendib.

Group B has Al Karam, Tokyo Giants, Gunma, Ichihara Sharks, Lalazar and YCAC.

The format consists of Semi Finals and a Final - teams finishing in the top two of each Division being rewarded a semi final position. The format and cricket is evenly contested in the KCL and the standard ofopposition will be a challenge for the Predators. The teams playing in the KCL are different to the JCA competition with only Ichihara Sharks and now the Predators being a part of both competitions. Many of the KCL teams would rival JCA division 1 teams in terms of strength so we're looking forward to some good matches here.

Information on KCL can be found at:
Kanto Cricket League

JCA Japan Cup

In 2008 the JCA introduced a knockout cup which was contested by 8 teams. The Predators were unfortunately knocked out in the 1st Round by the eventual winners of the trophy. This competition is on the radar for the Predators and the aim is to win this competition and add another trophy to the cabinet. For teams that get knocked out in the first round there is a "Plate" competition so that means each team gets at least 2 games in this competition.

Other Competition and Friendlies

Golden Bat Series - 3 Game series against Paddy Foleys Cricket Club

The Golden Bat competition is played between the Predators Cricket Club and Paddy Foleys Cricket Club, our good friends on and off the cricket field. The contest is a 3 game series played at various stages throughout the season. In 2008, Paddy Foleys defeated the Predators 2-1 with the third and deciding game producing a thriller which Paddy Foleys ultimately won. It is interesting to note that this deciding game the combined scores produced over 530 runs - a remarkable feat considering the game is played over 40 overs per innings.

Friendlies

Throughout the year, the Predators play a number of friendlies against opposition from both other Leagues in Japan and the other Division of the JCA 1-Day competition. A separate organization called the KCL runs a League in Japan, however this League is not aligned with the ICC and JCA. The Predators have many friends inside the KCL competition and in 2008 organised games against the Indian Tigers Cricket Club, Shizuoka Kytes and Nagoya Cricket Club. Competition in the KCL is of a high standard and it is always good to mix your skills against other clubs.

Some of our friendlies are played at the Shizuoka Cricket Club ground which is approximately 2hrs from Tokyo. This is a lovely maintained ground and the games are played on a roll-out flexi pitch which plays surprisingly well. Games are always great encounters at Shizuoka due to the hospitality of the Shizuoka Kytes Cricket Club and the playing condition of the ground which is always impeccable.


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