The Japan team has ties with all three teams in their group. A partnership between 17 January opponents Sri Lanka has meant touring teams have visited each other, while a number of Japan’s players are based in Australia, who they play on January 20.
Sydney-based Kobayashi-Doggett meanwhile has club teammates in two of the sides he faces in Namibia, set to meet Alex Lee Young keeping wicket for Australia, as well Ireland’s Adam Leckey in their match on January 22.
There’s also a rematch of sorts for Australian coach Tim Nielsen, who faced the Japanese at the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier while in charge of Papua New Guinea.
Ahead of the first match, Kato-Stafford provided a glimpse of the final words he will utter to the group as they run out.
“I think I’ll be saying to the boys, ‘We’re at a World Cup! Sure, it’s something that we’re gonna cherish for the rest of our lives, but we got to go out there and enjoy ourselves, boys’.
“You play cricket because it’s fun, and I think with a lot of these younger guys, (it’s about) just making sure that they know we’re playing sport. Let’s make sure we’re still enjoying it.
“Obviously it’s a World Cup, and we’re playing against the good teams, so we need to be switched on in the field, but I think just making sure that the boys cherish that moment, and not stress themselves out too much.”
