What's New - Season 2007

2006 Archive
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Tokyo Giants lift KCL 2007

Tokyo Giants, the reigning champions, once again proclaimed their supremacy in Kanto cricket by lifting the latest edition of the Kanto Cricket League trophy. In a show of strength, two of the best teams in the Kanto region and possibly all of Japan, the Giants and Friends met at the Ageo ground in Saitama for what is perhaps the most prestigious cricket title in Japan. In a 30-overs a side match, Tokyo Giants scored 192 in 29 overs. Naeem (47) and Naveed (38) provided a perfect foundation for the Giants with an opening partnership of 96 runs in 15 overs while Jamshed Ali, who took 3 wickets, was the most successful bowler for the Friends. In reply, Friends scored 142-8 in their allotted 30 overs, leaving Giants the winners by 50 runs. Friends were rocked in the first over itself by the fiery Ahmed Kamal when he removed the opener for a duck and then followed it up with a second wicket in his second over, third of the innings. Friends, who were at one stage 51/5, then limped to 142-8 in 30 overs, leaving the Giants the worthy winners. Only Shakir Khan(42) provided any sort of resistance to the Giants victory march that was spearheaded by Ahmed Kamal(2 wicket) and Tauseef Ahmed(3 wickets) who had taken 5 wickets in the semi-final against the Al Karam.

This is a record seventh time that the Giants won the trophy since 2000. The only year they failed was in 2005 when they even failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.
Date stamped: December 1, 2007

Indian Engineers Unveils New Logo and Jersey

After securing a sponsorship from Robert Walters(www.robertwalters.com), the Indian Engineers have unveilded a new logo and jersey. While the work on a new logo was in progress since the beginning of last year, the jersey was designed after the sponsorship deal was signed at the end of last year. The new jersey will obviously have both the Club's new logo and sponsors logo too. The jersey is predominantly white with shirts having a navy blue collar and a patch of the same colour running under the arms. The trousers have navy blue pockets and lines running down by side. Engineers will be in their new outlook on the weekend match.
Date stamped: September 1, 2007

KCL announces mid-season Twenty-20 tournament

The KCL Committee has announced a mid-season Twenty-20 tournament, starting on June 17 and ending on August 5. Envisaged initially as an All Japan Twenty-20 competition, including Kansai and Kyshu leagues, this was reduced to a Kanto-only affair this season due to lack of time for preparation by the other regions. They have, however, agreed to watch the progress of this tournament this year before deciding to join the next year's version.
Date stamped: June 1, 2007

The Kanto Cricket League AGM held at Nawab Restaurant

The Kanto Cricket League Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday, March 4 at Nawab restaurant, Tokyo. The AGM held on March 4th approved plans to kick-off the new season with an open initiation to all the clubs of the Kanto region, regardless of the stance they took during the stand-off last year. The AGM also formally approved the understanding by which the current Committee was formed after last year's fiasco - a Committee's term will be for two years. Therefore, the present Committee will serve this year too. Other major decisions taken by the AGM are:

- Since the final match of the 2006 could not be held, the finalists - Tokyo Giants and Friends - were declared as joined winners
- The KCL will invite entries from all teams in Japan to a nationwide Knockout Cricket Cup. The format will be Twenty20, with games organised firstly on a regional and later on a national basis. 2 games (involving a total of 4 teams) will be played at each venue.
- KCL will try to organise an Umpiring seminar early in the season
- New funds will be made available for some major infrastructure procurements

With the prospect of a couple of new grounds and matching infrastructure and the likelihood of more clubs joining, the season promises to provide some exciting cricket in Japan.
Date stamped: March 15, 2007