Israel squad readies for 19th Maccabiah

The Israel squad for the 19th Maccabiah to be held in Israel from July 18 - 30 has been announced. Raymond Aston, a veteran of the national team who made his debut back in the ICC Trophy in Kenya in 1994, takes over as captain from Herschel Gutman, allowing the latter to concentrate on his dual responsibilities of player and coach.

Attacking top order batsman Eshkol Solomon is promoted to vice captain. Numerous changes have been made from the team which participated in the European Championships in Corfu last year, giving the squad a more youthful look. Graduates of the youth development programme, opening batsman Safania Nagavkar and all rounders Itamar Kehimkar and Nir Dokarkar return to the senior team and will be keen to cement their places for years to come with strong performances, whilst seasoned batsmen Danny Malyankar and Shalom Rubin are rewarded for their consistent domestic form with national call ups. The squad also includes two debutants in Matt Hoffmann and Matan Razpurker.

Full Squad: Raymond Aston (Young Ashdod, Captain), Eshkol Solomon (Super Lions Lod, Vice Captain), Shailesh Bangerra (Super Lions Lod), Nir Dokarkar (Dimona A), Josh Evans (Ra'anana), Matt Hoffman (Ra'anana), Herschel Gutman (Ra'anana), Itamar Kehimkar (Neve Yonatan), Danny Malyankar (Young Ashdod), Safania Nagavkar (Dimona C), Matan Razpurker (Neve Yonatan), Yaniv Razpurker (Neve Yonatan), Shalom Rubin (Super Lions Lod), Gabi Schachat (Ra'anana), Shifron Waskar (Lions Be'er Sheva); Steve Leigh (Manager)

Israel Fixtures: Fri 19 July v India (Ashdod); Sun 21 v Canada (Lod); Tues 23 v Great Britain (Ashdod); Fri 26 v Australia (Lod) and Sunday 28 v South Africa (Hadar Yosef)