The Johor Cricket Council is the custodian and controlling body of the game of Cricket in the State of Johor.

The heritage of Cricket in Johor can be traced to the 1870s, when under the patronage of the ruling founder of Modern Johor, His Majesty Sultan Abu Bakar, a keen cricketer and billiards player, Cricket first took root in the State.

The Johor Cricket Council has earned a well deserved reputation of being consummate hosts for visiting foreign and local teams and this is very passionately known as the “Traditional Johor Hospitality”.

The visit of two Test teams from Australia in 1909 and 1927 to Johor, as guests of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, further provided the necessary impetus for the growth of cricket.  Since then Johor has played hosts to numerous overseas and local teams every year, the most significant being the visit of the Maryleborne Cricket Club in 1992 which played against the His Highness The Crown Prince of Johor XI and the visitors carried with them wonderful memories of the hospitality.

In addition, Johor has developed close cricket links with the Northern Territory of Australia since 1989 and vie for the Dennis de Silva Trophy and the Gary Moseley (the latter for veterans).  Johor has also participated in the Arafura Games in Darwin winning the bronze and silver medals on two occasions each.  In the Arafura series of 1997, Johor had the arduous task of having to defeat the Malaysian National Team preparing for the 1998 Commonwealth Games to win the bronze medal.

Although colonial in its origins, Cricket has today found its place even in the villages of Johor involving a large cosmopolitan following and participation.

Johor Cricket has, with concerted effort and passionate zeal, upheld its motto “WE SET THE PACE”, in proudly being the first State in Malaysia to:

--- initiate Cricket in the primary schools in 1987,

--- create the first dedicated Cricket Oval belonging to Cricket in 1997,

--- setting up the first Cricket Academy in South East Asia in 1997,

--- building the first dedicated Indoor Cricket Hall in South East Asia in 2008.

Johor Cricket has a very passionate following which is rich in patriotic fervour.  The players, supporters, followers and dedicated volunteers are today derived from all the diverse backgrounds of our cosmopolitan population, both, urban and rural.  We are proud to have tremendous expatriate support of people from various countries.

The Johor Cricket Council has, since the inception of Cricket in Johor, enjoyed the patronage and support of the Royal Family of the State of Johor.  The benevolence and encouragement of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ismail, the Sultan of Johor and His Royal Highness, Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, the Crown Prince of Johor provides Johor Cricket the confidence and well needed impetus to strive further in upholding the sporting spirit and fighting tenacity in competition and above all providing and maintaining the “traditional Johor hospitality” on and off the field.

The National Sports Council of Malaysia, the National Sports Ministry, the Ministry of Education, the Johor Sports Council, the Johor Education Department, the Mayor of Johor Bahru and the Central District Council (MPJBT) have always provided assistance in our efforts to promote the sport.  The International Cricket Council and the Asian Cricket Council too have been supportive to the JCC.

The Johor Cricket Council has developed a new Strategic Plan to steer our Cricket development, through an evolving timeframe of five years, to be the finest cricketing example in Malaysia.  It has engaged two foreign coaches from Pakistan and one from Australia, who, along with our local coaches will spearhead this development plan.  The relentless contribution of our players, volunteers, administrators, supporters along with the sponsors, the State Government and other allied agencies is crucial to the prosperity and growth of our Cricket.  The selfless support at grass-root level especially in the rural areas and under-deprived segments of society is highly commendable and remains our utmost priority.  Many coaching camps have been organized for these enthusiasts with provision for transport, meals and accommodation at the Johor Cricket Academy.  The role of the Department of Education is highly commendable.

We have to strive to be nothing short of the best in our efforts, so that, the objectives and aims we have desired will produce the best players, administrators and coaches apart from the provision of adequate facilities, events and the promotion of Cricket in its purest culture, spirit and tradition.

In summary, all our stakeholders have to rally around to ensure this holistic strategic plan evolves into a continuous, successful and everlasting Cricket development.

The plan and its progress will be monitored in ensuring our vision of developing Johor as Malaysia’s leading Cricket State and maintaining it as the “Nursery of Cricket”.