In a thrilling semi-final encounter at Kaizuka Cricket Field, the Doshisha Dragons and Keihan Blaze clashed in the Japan Cup, Kansai Region, Division 2 on September 2, 2023. Keihan Blaze won the toss and elected to bowl first in this low-scoring affair that saw both teams fiercely contest with the ball, resulting in an exciting contest.
Doshisha Dragons Innings
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Doshisha Dragons found themselves in a challenging position as they struggled to establish significant partnerships. They were eventually bowled out for a modest total of 66 runs in 18.1 overs. Yoshito Ishida was the top scorer for the Dragons, contributing 14 runs. Unfortunately, the other batsmen failed to provide substantial support. Hikaru Kuroki emerged as the star bowler for Keihan Blaze, impressively taking 4 wickets for just 10 runs in his allotted 4 overs. The Dragons’ innings included 11 extras, including 11 wides bowled by the Keihan Blaze bowlers.
Keihan Blaze Innings
In response, Keihan Blaze also encountered a challenging situation as wickets fell at regular intervals. The batsmen struggled to build partnerships against the disciplined Doshisha Dragons bowling attack.
Hiroki Kato was the highest run-scorer for Keihan Blaze, contributing 15 runs to the team’s total. For the Dragons, Ryuichi Ashida stood out with the ball, capturing 3 crucial wickets. With some late resistance from Soshi Mizumoto (14 not out), Keihan Blaze successfully chased down the target of 67 runs, securing a hard-fought victory by 1 wicket in 18.4 overs.
Semi-Final Context
This thrilling semi-final match determined the first finalist from the Japan Cup, Kansai Region, Division 2, highlighting the intense competition and showcasing outstanding bowling performances from both sides. Keihan Blaze emerged victorious, earning their place in the finals after successfully chasing down the target in a game that captured the essence of cricket in the Kansai region.
Scorecard
https://cricclubs.com/cricketorjp/viewScorecard.do?matchId=3910&clubId=21278
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