Kubota K.O.’s Wombats

by Evan Hitchman

The mighty Tokyo Wombats had a busy weekend of T20 cricket, with the first game of the JCL T20 in Sano vs Wyverns, and in Yokohama for Round 3 of the Japan Cup T20 vs Keio. We were fortunate (or unfortunate!) enough to face one of Japan’s best, and fastest bowlers Kohei Kubota who was in good form, and would prove a tough challenge for the Wommies.

The first challenge was getting XI for the game, with many late cryoffs making it difficult (you know who you are!) so many thanks to a massive 5 debutants on the day; Mike, Mario, Sam, Adam Evans (not to be confused with Adam…or Evan!) and Jaya (Kotapala).

Wyverns batted first, and although the conditions were a little overcast, it was still hot and humid and bloody uncomfortable! The old scroteometer was brought out to test the moisture content of the jocks and it was very moist and juicy down there indeed, said Tony Greig! For once the Wombats bowlers decided to bowl straight, and avoided the regular 9 overs of extras we serve up, with some consistent and tight bowling that kept the boundaries and easy runs to a minimum. Only 3 wides for the whole innings is possibly a new record!

Joe and Rasika opened up, and kept it tight with Joe unlucky not to get a wicket and Rasika picking up some early breakthroughs to make it 2/30. Mike and Mario bowled really well at the start of their spells, Mike with some good pace, and Mario who said he hadn’t bowled for 10 years, looking like his last game was yesterday, ripping some great spinners into the pitch that were hard to get away.

Wombats however made the mistake of bowling too well, and getting a wicket! It was 3/50 at the 10 over mark, which brought in Shogo Kimura to the crease, the ex pro baseball player. All the good work of the first 10 overs was all for nought as the bowlers forgot his one weak point, bowl full and at the stumps! Anything even slightly short of a length was dispatched to all parts of the SICG as he hit a quick fire 60 odd, with 8 sixes and putting on a 100 run partnership with Miyauchi for a final total of 3/149.

That total would probably be out of reach for a scratch Wommies line up, and so desperate was the situation that Ev was put in as a pinch hitter to try and get some cheap wine and a three day growth early boundaries while the field was up in the powerplay. Kohei Kubota opened up and almost took off Ev’s head with a vicious bouncer ball at a length that still almost took midget Ev’s head off! Second ball, Ev had another swing and this time connected, but only so far as extra cover with the Wyverns taking a good catch, and as always looking tight in the field. Ali went soon after, with Kubota swinging a great ball straight through the gate and the Wommies looking in all sorts of trouble at 2/3 off the first over. Maskai and Ken then put together a solid partnership, each getting 20 odd before succumbing to the ever growing run-rate. Poor debutant Mario, who looked great hitting in the nets was out for a silver duck, run out attempting a quick single and didn’t even face a ball! A last wicket partnership between Mike, who hit some lofty blows and a huge six off Kubota, and Rasika, whose running between wickets made Arjuna Ranatunga look like Usain Bolt – managed to make the final score respectable, with the wommies ending up on 6/103, but Wyveners the worthy winners on the day.