Double delight for Lions Lod

Lions Lod dominate Israel domestic cricket much the same way that Australia dominate world cricket. Their thumping win over Ashdod A in the ICA Cup final on Saturday was final proof, as if further evidence was required, that they are far superior to any of the other teams in the country. Whilst having one team so dominant is not the best situation for the local game, that is a point that can be written about at another time. For now Lions deserve to grab the headlines and the accolades for their scintillating performances through the season.

Although the Cup final pitted the first and second placed teams from the league against each other, Lod were the clear favorites going into the match. Winning the toss, they had no hesitation in deciding to bat. Mahendra Jaiswar and Yefet Nagavkar were once again at their very best. Together they set the platform for their teams' innings, Jaiswar quite happy to play the supportive role to the more aggressive Nagavkar. The Lod captain can destroy any bowling attack, and Ashdod would have been delighted at having dismissed him, albeit that he had already scored 68. The home teams' hopes would have been further lifted as Shalom Rubin was out for 19, Anim Solomon for 10 and David Massil for 2, but such is the strength of their batting that Israel's premier batsman, Isaac Massil, only comes in at number six. With Jaiswar playing the anchor role as he does so well, Massil took the score forward before run out for 43. The innings eventually closed on 263 for 6; Jaiswar not out on 92. Danny Malyankar (2 for 34) was the only Ashdod bowler to survive the Lod onslaught with respectability.

As with the Australians, Lions are strong in all departments. Their bowlers could probably defend any score, never mind that their batsmen gave them 250 plus at which to bowl at. Apart from Menashe Wadawkar (38) and Nissim Reuben (10*), no Ashdod batsman could reach double figures. Janath Silva was the chief destroyer, grabbing 4 for 15, and Solomon took 2 for 18. Ashdod were dismissed for 85 and Lod add the Cup to the Dudi Silbowitz Premier League trophy they won earlier in the season.