Disappointment for Israel at European Championships

Steven Shein picks up 1 of his 6 wickets against Norway © Israel Cricket

The Israel national cricket team returned home Sunday from a disappointing week at the European Championships in Belgium, having lost all five matches played. The tournament was won by Italy who now travel to Malaysia to compete against 11 other regional qualifiers for one place at the 12-team 2005 ICC Trophy to be played in Ireland, from which five nations will qualify for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

Israel started their campaign against Gibraltar, and although Isaac Massil (47) and Dani Hotz (36) both played well, Israel's total of 154, even on a wet and heavy outfield, was never likely to be enough. Gibraltar's opening batsman Chris Rocca scored 58, and although the Israelis brought themselves back into the game with good, tight bowling, dropped catches proved very costly and Gibraltar won by 4 wickets.

Playing Germany in game two, Israel once again won the toss and elected to bat. Wickets fell cheaply before Herschel Gutman (38) and Sanjay Gupta (28) steadied the innings. Hotz (18) and Jacky Divekar (19*) played well in the closing overs and Israel had done well to recover to 164. Germany were given a solid start, before Divekar got the breakthrough with the score on 92. The following overs belonged entirely to Israel with Massil picking up two wickets in one over, and Steven Shein picking up another. With Germany having slumped to 100 for 4, Israel were right back in the game, but once again were made to pay for missed chances as the German number three, who went on to score 22 not out, was dropped without scoring. Germany eventually got home with 5 wickets in hand despite a spirited performance by Israel's bowlers.

Herschel Gutman bowling against France. © Israel Cricket

If the dropped catches syndrome had been costly in the opening two games, it proved fatal against Norway in Israel's third match. Catches were spilled right through the innings, allowing Norway, a team consisting of players of exclusively Pakistan origin, to reach 221 when a score of 150 would have been more realistic. The innings was highlighted by a record breaking bowling spell by Shein, who took 6 wickets for 61 runs. Sanjay Gupta was the pick of the bowlers however, taking 2 for 12 in 10 overs. Israel were always going to struggle to reach their target, but their cause was not helped by heavy rainfall shortly after the start of their innings. The rain made the pitch extremely difficult to bat on, and the outfield heavy to score. The Norwegian bowlers exploited the conditions perfectly, and Israel were rolled over for 72.

Italy was the team to beat going into the tournament, and Israel were never expected to have a realistic chance of causing an upset. However, ironically, the lack of pressure allowed the players to play with more freedom, and Israel produced their best batting performance of the tournament. Aston (44) and Massil (40) added 69 for the 4th wicket, before both lost their wickets in quick succession. Gupta (24) played well again, and Israel closed their innings on 164. The Italian reply started with a first ball wicket for David Massil, helped by his brother Isaac who took a spectacular catch at first slip. Italy's Australian professional, Joe Scuderi, survived a huge shout for leg before two balls later, but never looked back. He scored a quick fire 56 before being trapped in front by a fired up Gutman. Although Israel picked up a couple more late wickets, opener Andy Bonora, who was dropped without scoring, finished not out on 61, taking his team to a 6 wicket win.

Isaac Massil on the attack against France. © Israel Cricket

Israel were playing for nothing but pride in their final game against France, but once again it was a case of the batsmen not putting enough runs on the board, and then chances being missed in the field. Massil (32) again excelled with the bat, Gupta (25) also contributed and the tail added a few runs, allowing Israel to reach 131. It was far less then what they would have wanted, but David Massil (3 for 22) bowled an inspired spell and Hotz produced a spectacular run out, to reduce the French to 45 for 4. It could have been 45 for 6, but Israel again only had themselves to blame as two catches went down, and France never looked back, running out winners by 6 wickets.

A lack of determination and self confidence by most of the batsmen cost the team dearly. The top order continuously failed, placing enormous pressure on the middle order batsmen. The fielding, and in particular the catching, was nothing short of atrocious, with vital catches being spilled in every match. The only ray of hope is provided by the youth players who have shone at European level in recent years and who will filter into the national team within two years.

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