Israel fall just short in brave display versus Norway

Israel put in a spirited performance in their opening match of the ICC Europe Division 2 Championships in Guernsey, but very disappointingly were just unable to finish the job, being dismissed for 201 needing 205 to win. What made the defeat even that more bitter was the dramatic collapse of the lower order, as the last 5 wickets fell for just 10 runs with the game seemingly in the bag.

Despite the early loss of both openers, debutant's Daniel Hyman and Josh Evans, as well as captain Herschel Gutman, Eshkol Solomon took the attack to the Norwegians, with Gabi Schachat content to play the supporting the role, as they set about rebuilding the innings. Solomon played some classy shots, not afraid to go over the top, before playing across the line and being trapped leg before, falling just two short of what would have been a well deserved half century. Raymond Aston didn't last too long, lofting a catch to cover, but Schachat was then joined by Yaniv Razpurker, with both playing superbly. Schachat, quick to punish anything loose, reached his second half century for the national team, with a push to cover. Just when it seemed as though victory was in the bag with less than 20 wanted, Schachat lost his footing and was stumped with the ball rebounding off the wicketkeepers pads. David Massil and Shailesh Bangerra both fell cheaply, before Razpurker, with the pressure mounting, skied a catch to point. The last pair of Steven Shein and Eliezer Samson were left with a difficult if not impossible task, but with 5 wanted off the last 2 balls Samson was run out attempting a suicidal second run.

Earlier Israel had been unsurprisingly tidy with the ball and in the field. Samson struck in the very first over, and wickets fell at regular intervals as the Norwegians failed to pick up the run rate much above 4 per over. Razpurker was the most impressive of the bowlers, taking 2 for 32, with both spinners Steven Shein (2 for 40) and Evans (2 for 50) tight enough in the middle overs. Samson (2 for 43) and David Massil (1 for 37) were also amongst the wickets.

All in all no help in crying over spilt milk, but this was a game in which Israel managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And that against a fancied Norwegian team who are ranked well above Israel in the global rankings.