Israel to play Australia in bronze medal match; India through to final against SA

The group stages of the Maccabiah were completed today, with the final placings seeing SA finishing on top having won all their matches, and India secured second place with todays win over GB. Australia, Israel and GB all finished level on points having won one match each, and with final placings being decided on run rate, it is the GB team who lose out on a shot for the bronze medal as their run rate is the worst of the three. The junior final tomorrow will be contested by SA, who defeated Israel by 9 wickets today, and GB who were so impressive in defeating SA in their group match on Friday.

Israel put in a fine bowling performance at Hadar Yosef today to dismiss SA for 147. Bowling in tandem, spinners Steven Shein (three for 21 in 10 overs) and Herschel Gutman (1 for 24 in 10 overs) tied up the middle order after Isaac Massil had taken two wickets up front. Craig Kramer scored an aggressive 46 not out to give the innings some impetus, but Massil (four for 33)returned to mop up the tail. Israel's batting has been poor through the tournament, and once again the top order failed. Left arm seamer Jonathan Fingleson (four for 30) bowled a hostile opening spell, before leg spinner Daniel Harrisberg (three for 14) ran through the lower order and Israel were all out for 84, losing by 63 runs.

A win for GB in Lod would have given them a place in the final, but chasing 216, they were dismissed for 175.