The Maccabi GB Open Cricket squad warmed up for the 19th Maccabiah Games with a comprehensive victory over a Radlett CC XI.
Taking the field first, the Maccabi GB XI bowled well, with brothers Neil and Ben Lederman keeping the score tight through the first 10-over power-play. It was Ben who got the breakthrough, enticing opener Cooke to drive uppishly as he was caught comfortably at mid-on by Laurence Bensusan.
Brother, Neil, was bowling a tight line, beating the bat regularly and was exceptionally unlucky to come away from his spell with no wickets from his six overs, but did well to only concede eight runs.
Ben Lederman was replaced by Yoav Lebens who took two wickets in his first over with an excellent low catch at square leg from Hilton Nathanson followed by an athletic diving caught and bowled. At the other end, Neil Lederman was replaced by Bensusan who also picked up an early wicket with an excellent leg stump yorker.
The bowling remained tight, with the batsman struggling to get the ball off the square. Bensusan continued to bowl a good line and deservedly picked up two further wickets, whilst at the other end, Lebens was replaced by Marc Reingold who produced an even more miserly spell.
Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, with Reingold picking up a simple caught and bowled dismissal followed by Nathanson ripping through the tail to take 2-13.
Dan Cohen, the Team GB player who was 'guesting' for his home club, produced a late cameo, hitting an unbeaten 29, but the innings closed with a run out with Radlett making a disappointing score of only 142 in good conditions.
The batting response from the Maccabi GB XI was as solid as the bowling was efficient. Despite looking good at the start, Danny Caro played on for 7, but that did not stop opening partner Mark Bott from punishing anything short or wide as he went on his way to an excellent unbeaten half century. He was joined at the wicket by Bensusan who continued his great day out with a solid batting display, and following only one further dismissal - Yoav Lebens - the game was finished off with a top-class cameo from Richard Black.
Talking about his side’s performance GB manager Russ Corin said: "The squad is looking in good shape as we enter the final preparations before we leave for the 19th Maccabiah Games.
"We have a well-balanced squad, with good strength in depth, and various bowling and batting options throughout the squad. We will be going to Israel in confident mood but are in no doubt as to the difficulty of the opposition and environment we will be facing when we get there.
"As a squad we're excited by the opportunity and thankful for the chance to test our skills against quality, Jewish competitors from around the world."
GB: Adam Brand (capt), Russell Corin (wkt), Danny Caro, Mark Bott, Laurence Bensusan, Richard Black, Yoav Lebens, Hilton Nathanson, Marc Reingold, Ben Lederman, Neil Lederman. DNP: Saul Weitzman
GB Bowling:
Neil Lederman 6-4-8-0
Ben Lederman 5-1-14-1
Yoav Lebens 6-1-16-2
Laurence Bensusan 9-1-36-3
Marc Reingold 7-2-13-1
Adam Brand 3-0-19-0
Hilton Nathanson 4.5-0-13-2
Mark Bott 4-1-16-0
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GB Batting:
Danny Caro 7
Mark Bott 53 (retired)
Laurence Bensusan 36 (retired)
Richard Black 30 not out
Yoav Lebens 5
Hilton Nathanson 3 not out
Adam Brand DNB
Marc Reingold DNB
Ben Lederman DNB
Russell Corin DNB
Neil Lederman DNB