Open cricket: India 215-9, GB 172. India won by 43 runs

The Maccabiah Games is over for GB’s Open cricket team after 29 wides followed by a batting collapse saw them miss out on a medal match altogether following a 43-run defeat to India in Lod on Sunday.

Needing to win to reach the final, the result means Australia playing Israel in the bronze medal match, and defending champions South Africa playing GB’s conquerors India in the final.

With Rob Yule and Saul Weitzman rested from the team that beat Israel, GB took to the field after India won the toss and elected to bat.

Captain Darren Gerard and Ryan Kangisser continued their fine form with India losing an early wicket with just three on the board, but their efforts were somewhat wasted as some wayward bowling including wides saw extras third top-score.

At one point, Kangisser was on a hat-trick but India star man Ben Zion moved the total along, passing his half century. He help steer India to 145-4 from 32 overs. A mini-collapse saw them plummet to 156-5 but the tail wagged with Ben Zion finally dismissed for a superb 86. Stalwart Elijah contributed 52.

Only one other Indian batsman made it to double figures although there were plenty of extras including 29 wides as India closed on 215-9 from 50 overs.

For GB, the bowling figures were Kangisser (4-20 from 10 overs), Gerard (3-38 from 9 overs), Andy Daniels (0-31 from 10), Mark Bott (0-25 from 4 overs), Adam Brand (0-35 from 6 overs), Neil Lederman (1-30 from 10 overs) and Ben Frais (1-9 from 1 over).

The GB got off to a flyer with Ben Frais smashing 18 off of five balls including one towering six. GB were 60-1 off of six overs and moved to 110-2 from 21.

But they lost their remaining eight wickets for 63 runs as India were left celebrating a place in the final.

“Our batting let us down again, big time,” reflected Manager Nigel Rothband. “We had a fantastic start but needing four an over with wickets in hand we collapsed.

“I believe that we had the batting to win the game but they failed us.”

Looking back at the first innings, he said: “We eventually bowled 56 overs because of the wides.”