6 May 2014

Sport: Japan cricketers claim favourites tag for EAP Women's Trophy

12:55 pm on 6 May 2014

Japan have willingly accepted the favourites tag for the East Asia Pacific Women's Cricket Trophy, which begins on Wednesday.

The hosts have won the last two EAP titles in 2010 and 2012, and coach Dhugal Bedingfield believes their preparation and experience will hold them in good stead to make a it three in a row.

He says many of their team have been playing together for a number of years and are familiar with the pressures of playing in a T20 final.

The Japanese team played a series of T20 matches against the Hong Kong Cricket Club last month and Bedingfield says they're especially looking forward to playing in front of their home fans.

Japan will compete against PNG, Vanuatu, Samoa and the Cook Islands as well as invitational side Cricket Without Borders.