ICC/CricketEurope

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Belgium made it two wins out of two following yet another thoroughly comprehensive win, this time against Israel by 172 runs.

Although the margin of defeat was similar to their loss to Switzerland yesterday, this was a vastly improved display by the Israelis, particularly in the field, where they threw themselves about, and caught five catches.
Indeed the catch by Daniel Bergman to dismiss the prolific Fraser McRae will hardly be bettered all week in Bologna.

Having been inserted by Israel McRae and opening partner Jonathan Aron looked destined to put on another substantial partnership before McRae on 28 chipped to mid-on, where the leaping Bergman clung on to a wonder catch.

Mc Rae had struck five fours in his 28, but had looked unsettled against opening bowler Roni Vituli (2-40). Aron played the perfect captain’s innings, scoring a truly wonderful 109 from 112 balls.

He timed the ball beautifully and was content to take his singles, as well as finding the boundary with regularity – 13 times to be precise. He favoured the square leg and midwicket regions, dispatching anything remotely short.

He did offer two chances, but both were difficult, and he fully deserved his century, which he celebrated with great relish.

His anchor role allowed the Belgium top order to bat around him, and there were some lovely cameos from Robbie Sehmi (13), Shamin and Shalin Shah who both got 29, and Devendra Bhandari (17), who all scored at better than a run a ball.

A total of 300 looked to be on the cards for most of their innings, but Bar Mesika (3-33) bowled a fine spell which halted the scoring rate. Naman Parikh struck two towering sixes in the final over to get them up to a very imposing 294 for 8.

The other wicket takers for Israel were Daniel Bergman (1-43), Shlomi Shapadov (1-47), and Guy Admon (1-54).

While a target of that magnitude was never going to be in their sights, Israel set out to try and bat the 35 overs, but could only manage 28.1 overs.

Three players managed to reach double figures, with Levi Kamarlekar top scoring with 28 from 55 balls, a knock which included 3 boundaries. Ran Assif (18), and Shlomi Shapadov (11), both got starts but couldn’t build an innings of any substance.

Their final total of 122 was boosted by the concession of 44 extras, 38 of which were wides, and this will be a worrying trait for the Belgian coaching staff in the tougher battles which lie in wait.

Skipper Aron completed a day to remember by picking up 3 for 22, while Paul Scarlett (2-1) impressed towards the end of the innings, getting his rewards by bowling straight. The other wicket takers were Sach Bhansali (2-20), Naman Parikh (2-27), and Shalin Shah (1-14).