By Mikayla van Loon
A Mooroolbark cricketer has just returned from two weeks playing in Japan’s up and coming women’s big bash league showing off her skill and impressing internationally.
Jess Adams first played overseas a few years ago with an organisation called Cricket Without Borders encouraging equality in sport in remote communities.
“You travel around different countries to try and promote equality through sports. It’s an all female team that goes around,” she said.
“We were going into disadvantaged communities that probably hadn’t had the easiest upbringing and we were going in and spreading the enjoyment of sport into their lives. Kids of all ages, all genders, and we got to go in and impact them through doing that.”
Afterwards she scored herself a two month internship with Cricket Japan and it was those connections that led her to getting a call to join the Women’s Premier Cricket League, playing for the Eastern Waves in July.
Helping lead her team to a 3-0 tournament victory, Jess walked away with player of the match for game one making 24 runs and bowling 4/13, only to pick up the best bowler recognition for the tournament.
“The whole experience was pretty cool. They had other countries participating as well. So two girls came in from Hong Kong and then we had two who came in from South Africa,” Jess said.
“So having the different cultures, different cricketing experience and players all involved in this one event was pretty special.”
Living in Japan for 10 days, surrounded by other international players, Jess said it was a great way to form close bonds and friendships with people from around the world.
As a growing sport in Japan, Jess said cricket is shaping up to be something the Japanese could be very competitive in in a few years time.
“It’s come a long way since I was last over there four years ago and it’s rapidly evolving,” she said.
“There’s definitely players who have some really good talent, some who have a little bit of experience from being half Japanese half Australian and transitioning between the two countries to play.
“Then the likes of those who have switched over from baseball or different sports who have picked it up naturally.”
With the men’s competition gaining momentum, Jess said the women’s is not far behind, it’s just about acquiring the facilities and coaches to push it even further.
“They’ve got some really good positives with the men currently away for their T 20 World Cup qualifiers and they’ve won two out of the three of their first couple of games.
“So it’s definitely progressing and going in the right direction. It was awesome to be able to go in with a bit of experience and help mentor some of the girls and see what I could do to make it easier for them.”
Back at home, Jess is preparing to take on her second season with the Mooroolbark Cricket Club having re-signed a couple of months ago.
“We won the flag last year so there’s definitely some momentum coming into the season, we’re looking at having a second female side as well with the First XI being promoted, which is a really exciting step for the club.”
Jess said with players of all backgrounds and experience, it really does show “there’s a bit of talent just hiding away” and it’s all about “giving it a go”.
