Barry Chambers

In a game reduced to 44 overs Israel overcame a shaky start to impose a daunting total. They were in trouble at 36 for 3 with Shein, Leigh and Nagavkar all out. The enthusiastic crowd were then treated to a fine display of controlled hitting by Hershael Gutman and Isaac Massil who put on 112 for the 4th wicket and effectively took the game away from France. Gutman batting with the aid of a runner made 75 and Massil 43. David Massil, his brother chipped in with 20, and the young 15 year old Danny Hotz showed his prodigious talent with an unbeaten 18 as Israel made 223 for 8 in their 44 overs. Buddhi Attanayake and Guy Brumant were the best of the bowlers.

France were never in contention as all the Israel bowlers found the conditions to their liking . Jacky Divekar, Hershel Gutman and skipper Steve Shein all picked up three wickets as France were bundled out for just 91. Guy Brumant top scored with 17, and indeed five French batsmen managed to reach double figures , but none were able to build the really substantive innings required. In the end Israel ran out comfortable winners by 131 runs, under the Duckworth Lewis method.