World No. Japan will host No. 10 Australia in a two-game series at the Sapporo Dome in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. The games, sanctioned by WBSC, will be played on 9 and 10 November and will serve as a preparation for next year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC). The announcement was made during a press conference held in Tokyo.
“It’s not about who is playing, but putting the strongest team possible together,” new manager Hideki Kuriyama said, according to The Japan Times. “I have to consider all the players who want to take part.”
According to Baseball Australia, David Nilsson is thrilled to be back in the green and gold and ready to lead the team into a new season of international baseball. “It is always and honour and very challenging to play against Team Japan and this will be a great opportunity to bring new players into the team and start our preparation for the 2023 WBC.”
The Samurai Japan Series 2022 will be the first games for the Japanese National Baseball Team after winning the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Australia will be taking the diamond three years after their last international game, their final Super Round game at the Premier12 2019 at the Tokyo Dome stadium.
Both teams faced each other for the last time in the Premier12 2019 Super Round. The reigning Olympic Gold Medallists and Premier12 champions came from behind late in the game to prevail over Austrlia, 3-2.
Both teams will meet in Group B of the WBC at the Tokyo Dome from from 9-13 March. No. 3 Korea, No. 21 China and a country from the qualification will complete the group. Two quarter-final games will also be played in Tokyo on 15 and 16 March.
