Double delight for GB as seniors and juniors both keep medal hopes alive

Great Britain enjoyed an excellent day at Hadar Yosef on Friday, with the seniors defeating Israel by four wickets, and the juniors putting in a superb performance to defeat South Africa in the biggest surprise of the tournament thus far. In the days other game, Australia completed their group matches with a defeat to India, and will need other results in Sundays games to go their way if they stand a chance of competing in Tuesdays bronze medal match.

GB, after their batting collapse a day earlier against Australia, were much improved against Israel. Opener Lawrence Benshushan held the innings together with a petient 45, whilst Adam Brand played an excellent innings of 56, as the two shared a third wicket stand of 85 after GB were reduced to 25 for two in pursuit of 141. Skipper Darren Gerard (10*) and Mark Bott (15*) secured the win after two late wickets for Yaniv Razpurker (2 for 19) had given Israel some hope.

Earlier in the day, Israel once again lost an early wicket, but Raymond Aston (16) counter attacked well before being given out in controversial fashion with an edge seemingly not carrying to the wicketkeeper. Dovi Myers (4) was adjudged leg before next over and Israel were 33 for 3. Adrian Vard and Razpurker rebuilt the innings, but Razpurker was then forced to retire hurt having taken a blow on the elbow. Isaac Massil (0) didn't last long, and Vard was then joined by Herschel Gutman. The run rate grinded to a standstill as the pair were reluctant to take any chances against the tight GB bowling. Vard (29) was bowled by Neil Lederman, Razpurker (29) returned but never added too many, and Gutman (33) was last man out with the total on 140, yet another below par score.