Israel U17's return home with mixed results from European tournament

Schachat given out LBW against Spain © Israel Cricket

The Israel U17 team finished a respectable fourth place in the 10-nation European 2nd Division Championships which were held in Germany last week. An action-packed week began with a remarkable victory over the hosts after both teams finished on the same score but Israel had lost two less wickets, ended with a narrow 5-run defeat to Spain, and in the middle saw tight victories over Isle of Man and France, and defeat to Italy. Israel skipper Gabi Schachat capped a fine week by being named Player of the Tournament.

Playing with 10-men with three of the squad fasting on Tisha B'Av, Israel began the tournament by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat against Germany, thanks to a remarkable 52* from diminutive Itamar Kehimkar. Chasing 131 for victory after Gil Nojman had taken three for five in a game reduced to 30 overs due to wet weather, Israel slumped to 50 for 7 before Kehimkar began a counter attack, hitting the bowlers to all parts of the Bochum ground, as bad light and rain closed in. At 83 for 8 all looked lost, but together with Jordan Talkar (12*), Kehimkar refused to throw in the towel, starting the final over with just six required. With two needed off the final ball, Kehimkar lofted a drive over cover, the batsman completed an easy two, and the Israel players sprinted onto the field to celebrate with their hero. However the game was to have a further twist, with the umpire having signaled a short run, and the teams therefore level on points. Both teams left the ground thinking they had tied the match, as this was the result the umpires had confirmed. Only the following morning did the news reach the Israeli team that according to the regulations they had actually won the game as Germany had been all out, and Israel had lost eight wickets.

Itamar Kehimkar on his way to 52* against Germany © Israel Cricket

Boosted by the news of the win, Israel began the second match against the fancied Isle of Man team in good spirits, and were a much improved team once again fieding first. Levi Divekar struck in the very first over, and although there were no further breakthroughs, tight bowling kept the score almost at a standstill. Wickets eventually began to fall, with Divekar (3 for 31) and Schachat (2 for 20) both bowling well to dismiss the Isle of Man for 148. A 4th wicket partnership of 50 between Shlomi Korman (15) and Schachat laid the foundations for the Israel victory, which was completed with two wickets and nine balls to spare with Schachat not out for a patient 31.

Game three against Italy was essentially a semi-final with both teams undefeated in Group A. Israel started fantastically in the field, with Divekar picking up two early wickets and Shalom Kristi (3 for 20) ripping through the middle order, to leave Italy at 92 for 8. However the Italians went on the counter-attack, benefiting from an umpiring error which forced Israel to use a sixth bowler, found the boundaries as Israel continued to attack in search of the final two wickets, and reached 176 for 9 in their 40 overs. Israel's batting was again a miserable mess, with only Schachat showing any application, but when he was out for 39 Israel lost the slight chance they may have had of victory, bowled out for 125, losing by 51 runs.

Levy Divekar strikes early against Isle of Man © Israel Cricket

Israel's final group match against France was another close tussle, following the same pattern of the previous matches. Israel, very poor in the field to start, were sparked to life by a remarkable over by Nojman, who claimed a hattrick, and a further wicket in the over, to finish with figures of 5 for 28, and dismiss France for 164 when a far higher score seemed likely. Kehimkar also bowled well to take 3 for 23. Israel's innings started in controversy with opener Shifron Waskar playing a forward defence, picking up the ball which had stopped in front of him and passing it to the French fielders. To everybody's surprise the French appealed, and left with no choice, the umpire gave it out. Once again Israel's hopes rested on Schachat, although he did receive support from Kehimkar (24) in a 4th wicket stand of 58. With the game seemingly in Israel's favor, Schachat fell for 53, but Talkar slammed a six over long off, and Nadav Razpurker scored 14* to seal a 2-wicket win with four balls remaining.

Finishing second in their group, Israel faced Spain with third place in the tournament at stake. Once again Israel fielded first and good bowling by Kristi (4 for 39) and two wickets each for Schachat and Divekar left Israel needing 156 to win It hardly came as a surprise to find Schachat the only batsman capable of occupying the crease for any length of time, with Kehimkar again playing freely in scoring 14. With 18 required, Schachat was adjudged leg before to a ball which hit him almost on the waist for another excellent knock of 56, and although Razpurker and Divekar each managed to find the boundary, Israel were all out for 150.

Schachat was rewarded for his efforts (182 runs at 45.50 and 7 wickets) with the prestigious Player of the Tournament award, whilst Nojman, Kristi and Divekar were amongst the top ten wicket takers.