Canada and Sri Lanka are other states where women's cricket is burgeoning. But of the newcomers, Japan is perhaps the most advanced. There are currently ten clubs and more than 200 women players in Japan, a figure the country's administrators expect to rise by 25 per cent this season. Keio University formed the first women's and men's club sides in 1987, prompted by an interest in British culture. It is their hope to develop the women's game as much as possible.
Japan expect to pick their first women's national team next year.
There is an outside chance the country will enter the 1997 World Cup although the 2001 event is a more likely target, when better sponsorship will be in place. There are also plans to feature cricket in the 1998 British Festival in Japan and the JCA is hoping to invite a junior English team to the Far East before the festival begins. Cath Harris 01438 714978. Women's Cricket Association Return to top of page Return to WCA home page Return to International menu Collyer given leader's role in U17 sqad Sarah Collyer, the youngest member of the senior England women's training squad, will captain the new England U17 side this summer. Collyer, from Little Neston, Cheshire, is a hugely promising batsman and also an impressive in-swing bowler.