Israel bowlers superb again in tight win over Belgium

For the third straight match the Israel bowlers were left an almost impossible task of defending a low total following yet another batting failure, but unlike the previous two games when Israel finished second, this time they were winners, beating Belgium by the tiniest margin of four runs.

Asked to bat, Israel collpased to 106, but with Solomon Varsulkar again weaving his magic in taking four wickets, and Gabi Schachat getting three wickets, the Belgians were dismissed for 102 in reply.

Reuven Bergman and Shlomi Korman gave Israel a solid start, taking the score to 31 before Bergman (8) was run out setting off for a second run having played the ball back past the bowler. Korman's (8) patient innings also ended in a run out, as a direct hit from mid wicket found him short of his ground. Raz Ben Zaken (3) continued his miserable tour with the bat, but Shai Hayun and Gabi Schachat began rebuilding the innings. Their stand of 30 was broken by a good delivery by off spinner Shivan Shai (4 for 11), who bowled Hayun (10) with the score on 79. The wicket sparked a total collapse, with Schachat the only player to offer any resistance in scoring 17.

Despite the tiny score to defend, Israel were soon amongst the wickets as Schachat produced a great delivery to bowl the Belgian opener with the score on 10. However it was the introduction of spinner Valsukar (4 for 19) that started to cause the real havoc, picking up four quick wickets that reduced the Belgians from 34 for 1 to 41 for 5. Ben Zaken picked up two wickets of his own, and with the Belgian innings in tatters at 55 for 7 the Israelis were right on top. However the eight wicket refused to fall, and just as it seemed as the game was slipping back in Belgiums favour, Schachat returned into the attack to make the crucial breakthrough. Captain Oren Chincholkar, who had led his team superbly throughout the tournament, claimed the ninth wicket, before Schachat (3 for 32) claimed the last with another great delivery to spark Israel's celebrations.