Hook's Japanese target Daisuke Tochiazuma sends down a bullet ball.
Hook & Newnham Basics’ imaginative plans to replace the injured Ben Thane, their experienced all-rounder, with a rising star of Japanese cricket for their ECB Southern Premier Division baptism have been derailed.
Army platoon leader Keith Lovelock (pictured left on his roller) wasted no time in contacting his under-cover Far East agents when Thane snapped his Achilles tendon batting in the club’s pre-season nets in February.
He wanted a talented raw, young fast bowling all-rounder as Thane’s replacement and Japanese Under-19 star Daisuke Tochiazuma (pictured above), affectionally nicknamed the ‘Orient Express’, appeared to fit the Hook bill a treat.
But Lovelock’s ambitious plans, a covert operation kept secret to all bar Hook’s inner cabinet at the KGV, were thwarted when the teenage Yokohama-based talent failed a medical and was disallowed an exit visa.
“It’s a major disappointment but given the global problems we are currently facing and the suspension of the upcoming English season, one we should not be too surprised about,” Lovelock said in a bilingual statement.
“Having Daisuke Tochiazuma playing for us would have been fantastic novelty value. We also had a city-based Sushi company lined up to sponsor the teas at all our home games.
“We pride ourselves as having the best tea in the Premier League, so having sushi on the table would have been quite something. Problem is, do you eat it with a knife or a fork ?” (How about chopsticks ?)
Brown belt
Daisuke Tochiazuma, 18, hails from an established Japanese sporting family – his late grandfather was a renowned sumo wrestler and he himself is a brown belt in karate.
His uncle is former Japan international goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, who played for Portsmouth in 2001 and went on to captain his country.
Tochiazuma was due to have played for Japan in the recent ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, but twisted his ankle bowling at speed in a pre-tournament Premier League match against West Kanto Hurricanes.
Reflecting on missing the opportunity to play for Hook & Newnham Basics, Tochiazuma said: “わたしはにほんへいきます. わたしはジョンです.”
“What can I add ?” said a disappointed Lovelock. “Talk about a lockout.”
Army platoon leader Keith Lovelock (pictured left on his roller) wasted no time in contacting his under-cover Far East agents when Thane snapped his Achilles tendon batting in the club’s pre-season nets in February.
He wanted a talented raw, young fast bowling all-rounder as Thane’s replacement and Japanese Under-19 star Daisuke Tochiazuma (pictured above), affectionally nicknamed the ‘Orient Express’, appeared to fit the Hook bill a treat.
But Lovelock’s ambitious plans, a covert operation kept secret to all bar Hook’s inner cabinet at the KGV, were thwarted when the teenage Yokohama-based talent failed a medical and was disallowed an exit visa.
“It’s a major disappointment but given the global problems we are currently facing and the suspension of the upcoming English season, one we should not be too surprised about,” Lovelock said in a bilingual statement.
“Having Daisuke Tochiazuma playing for us would have been fantastic novelty value. We also had a city-based Sushi company lined up to sponsor the teas at all our home games.
“We pride ourselves as having the best tea in the Premier League, so having sushi on the table would have been quite something. Problem is, do you eat it with a knife or a fork ?” (How about chopsticks ?)
Brown belt
Daisuke Tochiazuma, 18, hails from an established Japanese sporting family – his late grandfather was a renowned sumo wrestler and he himself is a brown belt in karate.
His uncle is former Japan international goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, who played for Portsmouth in 2001 and went on to captain his country.
Tochiazuma was due to have played for Japan in the recent ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, but twisted his ankle bowling at speed in a pre-tournament Premier League match against West Kanto Hurricanes.
Reflecting on missing the opportunity to play for Hook & Newnham Basics, Tochiazuma said: “わたしはにほんへいきます. わたしはジョンです.”
“What can I add ?” said a disappointed Lovelock. “Talk about a lockout.”
Daisuke Tochiazuma shows off his batting skills under the spectacular backdrop of Japan's Mount Fuji.
