Israel return from Indian adventure rich in experience

Israel Youth playing Mumbai U17 at Wankhede Stadium © ICC

The Israel youth team returned earlier this week from their historic tour of India. The tour was a phenomenal success in all regards. Off the field, the team was warmly received by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Liason officer, Mr. Avi Sule was thoroughly professional in taking care of the team's every wish. The team was based at the luxurious Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, where pictures of legends of the game line the walls. In a country where cricket borders on a religion, the players knew they had arrived in cricket heaven when going through passport control they were asked by the officials "Do you bat or bowl?"

Israel Youth playing Mumbai U17 at Wankhede Stadium © ICC

On the field, the Israel team, made up of players aged 15 to 19, played Maharastra U17 in their first game as the Bandra Kurla Complex. For many of the players it was their first time playing on a turf wicket, and add to that the quality of the opposition and it was always going to be tough. The idea of the tour was always to learn and gain experience, and playing against the finest players of their age and receiving tips and advice from the best coaches India has to offer would have benefited each and every player. Having played Maharastra in two matches, the team then took on Mumbai U17's in a one-day game, and Mumbai U15's in a 2-day match. Both these matches were played at the Wankhede Stadium, which will host the 2011 World Cup final.

Israel Youth playing Mumbai U17 at Wankhede Stadium © ICC

The team certainly improved from game to game, kept their morale high, and even managed to dominate for certain periods. As individuals, captain Gal Matz scored over 150 runs in 3 innings, Shai Hayun showed his talent with a half century against Maharastra and 46 against Bombay, and Gabi Schachat displayed excellent temprament in spending hours at the crease. Off spinner Raz Ben Zaken would have benefitted enormously from bowling on wickets condusive to turn, and Levy Divekar showed good potential as a new ball bowler.

Off the field, friendships were made and relationships built that will hopefully lead to reciprocal visits in the future and usher in a new era for Israel cricket.