Israel Under-15's begin tournament with win over France

The Israel Under-15 cricket team began the European Champions tournament today with a win over the host country France. Although putting in an unconvincing batting display, Israel managed to reach 156 in their 30 overs and then dismissed the French for 131 to complete a 6-wicket win.

Having won the toss, skipper Danny Hotz had no hesitation in deciding to bat in intense heat, with temperatures reaching the high 30's. Raz Ben-Zaken (1) played a dreadful shot and was bowled in the very first over, with the score on 10. Hotz played some powerful shots but just as it seemed as if he was on his way to a big innings, he was bowled for 17. 31 for 2 became 43 for 3 as Bar Ilya was caught for 10, and worse was to follow when Shai Chayun was bowled for 6, leaving the Israeli's in the precarious poistion of 48 for 4. Michael Muchie and Oren Chinchulkar rebuilt the innings and added 37 for the 5th wicket, but when Muchie was out for 9, and Alex Ozer shortly afterwards for 4, Israel were 92 for 6 and in danger of not batting out their 30 overs. Ronen Waskar played a solid innings to ensure that would not happen, and although Chinchulkar was out for a well played 32 (123 for 7), the lower order batsman, Waskar (10), and Eliezer Yugadayev (12) managed to add some extra vital runs, to take the total to 156.

If the batting lacked discipline, the bowling was very satisfactory. Chinchulkar and Muchie both used the new ball well, both change bowlers Eyal Matz and Yugadayev continued their good work, and when Waskar took 2 wickets in 2 balls in his first over, France were soon reduced to 59 for 7. But any hopes the Israeli's would have had of an early finish were dashed as the French lower order played well, helped by their share of luck as ill-discipline again found it's way into the Israeli play and catches began being put down. But as the required run rate began to climb it became clear the task would be beyond the French, and they were eventually all out for 131. Yugadayev, in his first match for Israel, took 4 for 25, Waskar was superb in taking 3 for 19, Chinchulkar took 2 for 23 and Matz 1 for 14.

Israel plays Greece tomorrow. At the time of writing the Greeks were completely outplaying the Italians who had lost 6 wickets for less than 30 runs. Both Greek opening bowlers looked to be more than useful and the Israeli batsman will have to show more discipline and application if the team is to continue their winning streak. Germany beat Spain in today's morning game in Group B, with the Gibraltar - Belgium clash having just got underway at writing time.