Japan Openers Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming Set Up World Record Partnership

During the East Asia Cup 2024 T20I tri-series in Hong Kong, Japan openers Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming created T20 cricket history with an unbroken 250+ opening partnership against China during the third game of the tournament.

On 15 February 2024, Japan and China met in the third game of the T20I tri-series at Mission Road Ground (Mong Kok), where Japan chose to bat first. Both the Japan openers performed solidly to create two T20 World records.

Japan openers Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming created history in T20 cricket

Both Japanese openers, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, smashed centuries in that innings. While Lachlan scored 134 not out in 68 balls (eight fours and 12 sixes), skipper Kendel scored 103 not out in 53 balls (three fours and 11 sixes).

In that innings, Lachlan and Kendel set up a 258-run unbroken partnership for the first wicket. As a result, Japan scored 258/0 in 20 overs. In reply, China were bundled out for only 78 runs in 16.5 overs, as Japan won by 180 runs.

While Japan openers Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming set up the highest T20 partnership for any wicket (Check list 1), Japan also managed the highest T20 total without losing a wicket (Check list 2). However, Japan’s 258 runs total was the joint 10th-highest total in T20I history.

List 1: Highest T20 partnerships for any wicket

(Updated as of 15 February 2024)

List 2: Highest T20 totals without losing wickets in 20 overs

(Updated as of 15 February 2024)