Kary Chan first woman to take multiple T20I hat-tricks as Hong Kong crush Japan in series opener
- Captain Chan prizes out Japan’s last three batters off consecutive balls as hosts power to victory with more than nine overs left
- ‘It’s about bowling partnerships. The bowlers did well and our fielders put pressure on the batters,’ she says at Hong Kong Cricket Club
Hong Kong captain Kary Chan prized out Japan’s last three batters off consecutive balls to become the first player to take two hat-tricks in Women’s T20 International history on Wednesday.
She first achieved the rare feat against China at the 2019 East Asia Cup in Incheon. However, in a spell of 5-10, her most important wicket was that off her opposite number Mai Yanagida, who was caught behind for 32.
Chan’s spell helped bowl Japan out for 78 before Mariko Hill’s belligerent 40 off 32 powered the home side to victory with more than nine overs to spare at Hong Kong Cricket Club.
“Thank you to the team,” Chan said after winning the Player of the Match award. “It’s about bowling partnerships. The bowlers did well and our fielders put pressure on the batters.
“Our ground fielding improved a lot,” said head coach Andy Cottam, who also heaped praise on his bowlers for maintaining pressure on Japan throughout the first innings.
After Hong Kong won the toss and elected to bowl first, Iqra Sahar took three wickets inside the power play, including Akari Nishimura and Ahilya Chandel who were both trapped plumb in front.
After a brief recovery from Japan, Mariko Hill bowled Seika Sumi to leave Japan reeling at 37 for four in the 10th over.
Yanagida took it upon herself to rescue the innings, smashing Maryam Bibi through extra cover for four before repeating the dose against off-spinner Ruchi Venkatesh.
Her proficiency through the off side would eventually prove to be her downfall as her dismissal sparked a collapse that saw the visitors lose their last five wickets for the addition of just six runs.
“We bowled 12 wides to them. That’s an extra two overs,” Cottam added, ahead of Thursday’s game against Nepal, whom he acknowledged outplayed Hong Kong in their two most recent meetings in a quadrangular series in Malaysia.
“We have to believe we can win [against Nepal]. And the atmosphere between the girls looks a bit lighter. They’re enjoying what they’re doing and not putting themselves under unnecessary pressure.”
Hong Kong’s convincing win propels them to the top of the points table, ahead of Tanzania, who bowled Nepal out for 88 in the series’ curtain-raiser after scoring a competitive 115 for seven.
After being restricted to 36 for seven in the tenth over, Nepal’s Sita Rana Magar struck four sixes in her 43 to bring Nepal with 29 runs of their target with 22 balls to spare.
Sophia Jerome saved Tanzania’s blushes, dismissing the left-hander who failed to clear Perice Kamunya at long on.
