Sano International Cricket Ground is a cricket venue in Sano, Japan, that hosted its first T20 International match in 2022.
The ground features a plastic carpet pitch and is one of the few dedicated cricket facilities in Japan, also sharing usage with baseball.
Overview
Sano International Cricket Ground is a cricket venue located in Sano, Japan. It serves as a dedicated facility for the sport in a country where cricket is emerging as a popular pastime. The ground is one of the few facilities in Japan specifically used for cricket, highlighting its importance to the local cricketing infrastructure. The pitch is constructed from plastic carpet and is noted to be in pretty good condition, providing a consistent surface for matches. In addition to its primary use for cricket, the ground is also utilized for baseball, reflecting the multi-sport nature of athletic venues in the region.
The venue has hosted T20I matches, with the first T20 match recorded in 2022. This marks the ground's entry into the international T20 stage, offering a unique setting for teams competing in the shortest format of the game. The plastic carpet pitch presents distinct characteristics compared to traditional turf wickets, potentially influencing batting and bowling strategies. As a key venue in Japan, Sano International Cricket Ground contributes to the growth of T20 cricket in the Asian region, providing a home ground for international fixtures.
Available data does not capture the highest team total, lowest team total, or individual batting and bowling records at this venue across T20I competitions. Specific match scores, player performances, and tournament events hosted at Sano International Cricket Ground are not detailed in the current source material. The ground's capacity, dimensions, and year of construction are also not specified in the available information. For precise statistical records, further data from match reports and official cricket archives would be required.
Venue profile
The Sano International Cricket Ground is a sports venue located in Sano, Japan. It serves as one of the limited facilities in the country dedicated to cricket, hosting matches under the T20I competition format. The ground has a history of evolving from its earlier identity; it was renamed from the Tanuma High School Ground in 2016, adopting its current international moniker to reflect its growing status in the regional cricketing landscape.
A defining characteristic of the Sano International Cricket Ground is its playing surface. The pitch is constructed from plastic carpet, a common feature for cricket grounds in non-traditional cricketing nations where natural turf maintenance can be challenging due to climate and space constraints. According to available descriptions, the condition of this plastic carpet pitch is considered to be in pretty good shape, providing a consistent surface for batting and bowling. This surface type influences the pace and bounce of the ball, often favoring stroke-makers who can utilize the evenness of the carpet.
Unlike dedicated cricket ovals found in traditional powerhouses like England or Australia, the Sano International Cricket Ground is a multi-sport facility. It shares its space with baseball, another bat-and-ball sport that enjoys significant popularity in Japan. This dual-use arrangement means the ground must accommodate the specific dimensional and surface requirements of both sports. The integration of cricket and baseball at this venue highlights the versatility of the infrastructure and the strategic approach to maximizing sports facilities in Japan. The first T20 match at this venue was recorded in 2022, marking a significant milestone in its recent history as a host for international-standard T20 cricket.
T20I Match History
T20I Match History
The Sano International Cricket Ground has established itself as a significant venue for Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket in Asia. According to available match data, the stadium hosted a total of 41 T20I matches between 2022-10-10 and 2026-05-18. This volume of fixtures highlights the ground's importance in the regional cricket calendar, particularly for the Japan national cricket team and visiting sides competing in East Asian tournaments.
The venue has been utilized for key tournament stages, including the East Asia Cup and the 2019 U-19 World Cup qualification tournaments. These events have contributed to the growing profile of the Sano Cricket Ground as a premier facility in the country. The ground is noted as one of the few cricket facilities in Japan, serving a dual purpose by also hosting baseball matches, which is common for multi-sport venues in the region.
The playing surface at Sano is characterized by a plastic carpet pitch, which is reported to be in pretty good condition. This surface type can influence match dynamics, often offering consistent bounce and pace, which is a factor for teams planning their batting and bowling strategies during T20I encounters. The specific characteristics of the plastic carpet may differ from traditional soil-based pitches found in other major cricketing nations, adding a unique variable for visiting teams.
While the ground has hosted a substantial number of T20I matches, specific statistical records such as the highest team total, lowest team total, or highest individual scores are not explicitly detailed in the current dataset. The available information confirms the venue's active role in T20I cricket from 2022 through 2026, but granular performance metrics for individual players or teams are not captured in the provided source material. For detailed ball-by-ball statistics or specific match scores, further consultation of comprehensive cricket databases would be required.
The Sano International Cricket Ground continues to serve as a key hub for cricket in Japan, supporting both domestic development and international fixtures. Its ability to host multiple T20I matches over a four-year period underscores its capacity and suitability for the format. As cricket grows in popularity in East Asia, venues like Sano play a crucial role in providing competitive environments for emerging teams and established sides alike.
What is the highest team total at Sano International Cricket Ground?
The highest team total recorded at Sano International Cricket Ground in T20I matches is 253/4. This score was achieved by Japan against Mongolia on 2024-05-08. This match also produced the lowest team total at the venue, with Mongolia scoring just 4/1 against Japan on the same date. These figures represent the extreme ends of team performance at this specific ground based on available match data.
Who holds the individual batting and bowling records?
Individual Batting and Bowling Records
The statistical records for individual performances at the Sano International Cricket Ground are derived from T20I matches played at the venue. The ground, located in Sano, Japan, features a plastic carpet pitch that has hosted international cricket since 2022. The following data points represent the highest individual score and the best bowling figures recorded in the available dataset.
Highest Individual Score
The highest individual score recorded at the Sano International Cricket Ground is 114 runs. This performance was achieved by K Kadowaki-Fleming. The innings took place on 15 October 2022. This score stands as the benchmark for batting excellence at the venue in the T20I format based on the current data.
Best Bowling Figures
The best bowling figures recorded at the Sano International Cricket Ground are 7 wickets for 26 runs (7/26). This performance was achieved by HMHE Parsons. The match in which these figures were recorded took place on 13 May 2026. This spell represents the most dominant individual bowling performance at the venue in the available records.
These records highlight the range of individual achievements at the Sano International Cricket Ground, from the century by Kadowaki-Fleming in 2022 to the seven-wicket haul by Parsons in 2026. The plastic carpet surface of the pitch is a notable feature of the venue, which is also used for baseball, influencing the playing conditions for both batsmen and bowlers.
Pitch and conditions
The Sano International Cricket Ground is located in the city of Sano, Japan. It serves as a venue for T20I matches, with the first recorded T20 match at the stadium taking place in 2022. The ground is recognized as one of the few dedicated cricket facilities within Japan, providing a key location for the sport's growth in the region. The venue is also utilized for baseball, indicating a multi-sport usage pattern common in Japanese sporting infrastructure.
The playing surface at Sano International Cricket Ground features a plastic carpet pitch. According to available descriptions, the pitch is in pretty good condition. The use of a plastic carpet surface is a distinctive characteristic of this venue, differentiating it from traditional turf pitches found in other major T20I stadiums. This surface type can influence ball behavior, potentially affecting bounce and pace for batsmen and bowlers alike during T20I fixtures.
As a T20I venue, the Sano International Cricket Ground contributes to the expanding list of international cricket locations outside traditional cricketing nations. The availability of this facility supports the scheduling of T20I matches in Japan, offering teams a specific environment to compete. The ground's status as one of the few cricket facilities in the country highlights its importance for local and international cricket activities in the region.
Statistical records for individual performances, team totals, and specific match outcomes at the Sano International Cricket Ground are not detailed in the current available data. While the venue has hosted T20I matches since 2022, specific numerical records such as the highest team total, lowest team total, or highest individual score are not captured in the provided source material. Consequently, detailed statistical analysis of player and team performances at this specific ground requires further data collection from ball-by-ball records or official scorecards.
The combination of its location in Sano, its multi-sport usage with baseball, and its specific plastic carpet pitch makes the Sano International Cricket Ground a unique venue in the T20I calendar. Fans and analysts interested in the venue's specific statistical history should refer to updated match reports and Cricsheet data for precise numerical records, as the current grounding information focuses on the venue's physical characteristics and general status rather than detailed match statistics.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Sano International Cricket Ground located?
The stadium is located in Sano, Japan.
When was the first T20I match played at Sano International Cricket Ground?
The first T20 International match at the venue took place in 2022.
What is the pitch surface at Sano International Cricket Ground?
The pitch is made of plastic carpet.
Is Sano International Cricket Ground used for other sports?
Yes, the ground is also used for baseball.
Which league or format is primarily associated with this venue?
The venue is associated with T20 International (T20I) cricket.