Curious spectators clutching rule books watched as a batsman smacked a six into the sand and weeds surrounding Japan’s brand-new cricket ground, four months before it hosts matches at the Asian Games.

Japanese fans would be familiar with many of the events at the multi-sport Games when they are held in Nagoya from September 19 to October 4, but most are likely to be stumped by cricket.

That will not stop them from taking an interest though, and now they have a purpose-built ground to welcome star teams such as India and Pakistan.

Korogi Sports Park, a converted baseball field that still has a pitcher’s mound just beyond the boundary, is about a 40-minute train ride from central Nagoya.

It is currently warming up for the Asian Games by hosting its first cricket event, the East Asia-Pacific qualifiers for the 2028 men’s T20 World Cup.

The qualifiers feature Japan and fellow cricket minnows Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands and South Korea.