Japan installs seating and gates at Sano for India T20I

The Sano International Cricket Ground has received temporary seating, VIP enclosures and ticket gates ahead of Tuesday's T20I between Japan and India. The Japan Cricket Association coordinated the upgrades with a UK-based consultant who has run World Cups and The Hundred.

Japan Cricket Association chief operating officer Alan Curr said the 18-month preparation began with relaying the square using local clay identical to the Nagoya Asian Games facility. The site now doubles as a training hub for ICC Full Members preparing for the Games.

Registered players in Japan have risen from 3,000 to 8,800 in 12 years, and the Japan Cup T20 competition has expanded from 12 teams in 2014 to more than 80. Affiliation with the Japanese Olympic Committee has supplied strength coaches and analysts, while Asian Cricket Council membership has given a 12-month international calendar.