A Ballarat cricketer playing for Japan has qualified for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in bizarre fashion.
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It was the trip of a lifetime for Wendouree fast bowler Kento Dobell who travelled to Japan to compete in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Sano.
After emerging victorious in their opening three games, Dobell knew the team would have its work cut out for it against tournament favorites Papua New Guinea.
But they never expected what came next.
"On the last day we were meant to play PNG but they had to forfeit because they didn't have enough numbers," Dobell said.
Papua New Guinea suspended 11 players before the match for "disciplinary reasons," after they were caught shoplifting.
As a result, the team could only field four players for the encounter, thus gifting Dobell and his Japanese teammates a spot in next year's world cup tournament in South Africa.
"First it was shock,"Dobell said.
"We thought the game had been called off because of the weather at first, then they told us it was due to suspension.
"We were of course really happy to win, but it was a bit disappointing also."
The forfeit meant Japan finished the qualifying tournament with a perfect four wins from four matches. More importantly, it made them the first Japanese team ever to qualify for a cricket world cup.
"We gelled really well, and the team played some practice matches before the tournament which helped. We were close with each other and had a nice balance," Dobell said.
Dobell played well too.
Selected as the team's opening bowler, the 16-year-old impressed coaches with his ability. He even scored 44 runs with the bat in the team's win over Vanuatu.
"When I got my chance I tried to take as much as I could," he said.
Now Dobell will set his sights on the world cup in January - a prospect he never could've imagined when he attended trials months ago.
He told The Courier that anything could happen.
"Cricket is a funny game, it's whoever is best on the day, and if we can be patient and grind we might win a few games," he said.
As for the PNG players, they will undertake a comprehensive rehabilitation program over the next 12 months.
