Israel forced to play at airbase

The Israel cricket team was forced to move a European championship match to the security of a British airbase after protesters disrupted their matches at venues in Glasgow.

Their European Second Division Championship match against Guernsey, due to have been played in Glasgow, took place 150 miles away at the Royal Air Force base Lossiemouth. The match was moved to the coastal site after previous Israel fixtures were disrupted by protests against the their ongoing conflict with the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

"We were approached to host two matches due to the cancellation of previous games," said an RAF Lossiemouth spokeswoman. The European Cricket Council and the ICC said they recognised that the circumstances were "difficult".

"However, everyone connected with this tournament is seeking to make the best of these circumstances by allowing players from every side to play the game they all love," the ECC and ICC added in a statement.

Osama Saeed, from the Muslim Association of Britain, said the Ministry of Defence should be condemned for letting its facilities be used by the Israel team. On the pitch, Guernsey beat Israel by five wickets.