Israel march on

The Israel U17 team extended their winning run at the European Championships being played in Bologna, romping to a 89-run win over Germany on Wednesday.

Batting first, the Israel innings was given the perfect start by the opening pair of Michael Muchie and Shai Hayun. Although Hayun struggled somewhat on a bouncy and quick pitch, Muchie, despite suffering from an injury to his right hand picked up in the nets ahead of the tour, played fluently from the start, displaying yet again his natural talent and effortless timing. By the time Hayun (12) was caught on the square leg boundary, the score had reached 90 in the 20th over. Danny Hotz (10) and Gal Matz (10) both shared useful partnerships with Muchie, who finished the innings with 62 not out. Israel closed their innings on 177 for 4, a total based on the efforts of the batsmen and complimented by the 66 runs in wides conceded by the wayward German bowlers (a wide counts for two runs in this tournament).

Yaniv Razpurker claimed the first German wicket, spinner Ronen Waskar, opening the bowling in a change of tactics, picked up two, and then Yehuda Gordon took two wickets in his first over in international cricket (including a wicket off his first ball), to leave Germany 38 for 5 and the game essentially over as a contest. Adiel Chandgawker (3 for 17) and Gordon (4 for 15) ensured an early finish, as Germany was dismissed for 88 in the 20th over.

In the days other match in the Super League, Italy caused somewhat of a surprise by comprehensively beating the previously unbeaten Gibraltar side. In tomorrows action, Italy play Germany in the morning, and Israel meet Gibraltar in the afternoon. The Israel team returns home on Friday afternoon.