Israel squad readies for Croatian challenge

Israel will play Croatia in a crucial Division 2 play off match on Sunday November 18 at Hadar Yosef in Tel Aviv, with play in the 45-over clash, the first ever international match in Israel, starting at 9.30. The winner will earn themselves a place in the 2008 European Division 2 tournament to be held in Guernsey. The Israel team was announced last week, and will be captained by Stanley Perlman.

Apart from Perlman, the side also includes plenty of other experienced players. All rounders Isaac Massil and Sanjay Gupta will both be key players in the middle order, and there will be big expectations from Herschel Gutman to perform with bat and ball. The attack will be led by Ramle's Isaac Talkar, who looked particularly impressive in practice, with the always consistent David Massil in support. Yaniv Razpurker provides a further option in the pace attack, and his superb fielding will also be crucial to the team's success. Off spinner Steven Shein completes the bowling options available.

The specialist batsmen in the squad include opener Shalom Rubin, who has been a key component in the Lions Lod team that has once again dominated domestic cricket this season, Eshkol Solomon who is an exciting player with a wide array of shots, the ever reliable left hander Dovi Myers, and the gifted Danny Hotz who will relish the opportunity to replicate his success with Israel junior teams at the senior level. It will be a tough call to decide which of the two wicketkeepers don the gloves, with both Shailesh Bangerra and U19 international Shai Hayun vying for the position.

The Croatian side is an unknown quantity, with Israel never having played them in the past. However they did win the European Division 3 tournament in the summer, beating fancied teams like the Isle of Man and Belgium in the process, so a tough match is guaranteed.

The game will be umpired by Ireland's Trevor Magee and Ian Ramage from Scotland. ECC Development Manager Richard Holdsworth will officiate as match referee.