Hardcore trainspotters browsing through the Japanese national team's scoreboards on the internet might have been bemused to see the same name pop up. The former Bayfield High School pupil answered a few questions from his old Albion club team-mate, Matt Smith.
Q First things first - how does a Bayfield High School old boy who made it to the Dunedin senior grade as a batsman end up as a strike bowler for Japan?
A I think all those years of getting smashed in the Bayfield and Albion nets taught me how to bowl on a good length consistently and do something with the ball. Doing basic things well like that brings success at the Japan cricket level. Also, I have put on a few extra kilograms since those days, which helps with momentum to the bowling crease - my batting is still my pride.
Q What's the naturalisation process to make it in to the Japanese team?
A The process is often changing. From memory, it is four years or more residence in the country with a few other conditions, such as spending more than six months in the country each of those years. You do not have to have permanent residency or become a Japanese citizen.
Q What's the set-up for Japanese cricket. What would the ratio be between expats and native Japanese?
A The set-up for Japan cricket has been a bit of a shambles. There are several disorganised competitions around and all the committees are dysfunctional. Recently there has been some positive news with ground developments and some newly developed competitions that seem to be running more smoothly. The ratio has usually been four non-Japanese players allowed in a squad of 14 players. This condition was actually set by the Japan Cricket Association and is stricter than what the ICC proposes. The rationale is to take a long-term view that encourages the development of Japanese players, even though this may weaken the side in the short-term because expat players are generally more experienced and skilful.
Q Where would you rate the level of the Japanese opponents - say the World Cricket League, Division 7 where they were playing in 2009?
A There are some very good individual players in these teams in lower grades of world cricket leagues - some who could easily play senior level in Dunedin. However, most teams lack depth. The overall quality varies a lot and is probably somewhere between Dunedin senior grade and second grade. The ICC has since restructured the lower divisions of the world cricket league, so it remains to be seen how that will eventuate and how a path will be created for Japan to develop.
Q What are some of the unusual places and teams you ended up playing when turning out for Japan?
A I have played for Japan in Brisbane, Auckland, Jersey, Guernsey, London and Botswana. The Japan team often goes to the Pacific Islands such as Samoa, Cook Islands etc.
Q What are the challenges facing a sport like cricket in Japan?
A From a player's perspective, it is time and money. The few proper cricket grounds (artificial wickets) in Japan are over 150km away from Tokyo and it takes over two hours to get there - sometimes over four hours if traffic is bad. It can cost over $100 per game because of travel expenses and match fees. I remember complaining about having to go all the way out to Sunnyvale to play against Green Island, so this puts things into perspective. From an administration perspective, it is probably lack of awareness about the game which makes sponsorship and co-operation from local governments very difficult. Japanese people are crazy about baseball and soccer and not much else. Rugby is moderately well known. I think there is potential in twenty20 cricket here if someone extremely rich was to take up the matter.
Q Other than me in the nets, who is the most difficult bowler you have faced?
A From my Albion days in the late 1990s, I remember Aaron Gale being extremely tough, as well as the two opening bowlers from Green Island on a green Sunnyvale wicket. Lachie Weir also got me out plenty of times with his throw-downs. Playing for Japan, I can't remember who the bowlers were, but I batted for 60 minutes and scored only five runs against Afghanistan, who have since advanced up the world rankings.
Q What do you do for a job, and where are you living?
A I work as a freelancer. I perform supplier audits of Japanese manufacturers, usually on behalf of major pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Also, I do Japanese translation and technical writing for some Japanese companies. I have been living in Tokyo for about 13 years now.
