Curious spectators clutching rulebooks watch as a batsman smacks 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 will be familiar with many of the events at the Olympic-like multisport competition when it is held in Nagoya from Sept.?19 to Oct.?4, but most are likely to be stumped by cricket.

That won¡¯t stop them from taking an interest, though, and now they have a purpose-built ground to welcome star teams such as India and Pakistan.