Team GB made a disappointing start to the open cricket tournament as they let slip a golden opportunity to beat defending champions South Africa.

Putting SA in to bat, Nigel Rothband’s troops made a dream start with wickets from captain Darren Gerard and debutant Ryan Kangisser leaving hanging on at 3-2.

Gerard made the breakthrough in the second over when he forced Joss into a miscued drive that was caught at third man by Mark Bott. Kangisser’s wicket came in the third over, a vicious inswinging yorker that knocked two stumps out of the ground to send Ross packing.

Saul Weitzman replaced Gerard and his unerring line and length resulted in two chances in his first over. The first was fell short of the field but the second was dropped by slip Adam Brand.

It was soon 25-3 as keeper Richard Black took an athletic catch behind the stumps off Weitzman.
Having beaten Australia by five wickets in their first game, SA did not panic with captain Adam Bacher, in his third Maccabiah, coming to the crease.

Bacher caressed his second ball for four with a beautifully place shot where he opened the face of the bat. He called for a helmet after Weitzman got one to pop but things started to look ominous as he hit two powerful shots over the top. The first was a classic half volley followed by one over mid-on.

Eisenhammer was sent back to the pavilion after David Romain clung on to a sharp chance at extra cover off Andrew Daniels’ first delivery. Kramer was given a life after Gerard put down a sharp caught and bowled chance.

Danger man Bacher went for a well-made 37 thanks to a brilliant tumbling catch by Weitzman att long-off off of the bowling of Bott. SA were dismissed for 186 after 35 overs with Kangisser the star performer after bowling through to claim 1-26 off his 10 overs. Daniels and Weitzman finished with two apiece while Brand chipped in with one.

GB’s reply got off to a poor start when opener Robert Yule departed but Ben Frais and Adam Brand moved the score along to 44-1. Wickets fell at regular intervals and they were dismissed for 140 with Gerard (45) and Adam Brand (27) the only contributions of note. David Lever, the bowler of the tournament in 2005, finished with 5-29.

Manager Nigel Rothband said: “We got ourselves into a position to win the game and are disappointed we couldn’t see it through. Our bowling and fielding was outstanding. Ryan Kangisser was excellent. To dismiss South Africa for under 200 is no mean feat.

“Without wanting to make excuses, I feel that the pitch deteriorated in the second innings and we didn’t get the rub of the green. We failed to build any partnerships but will pick ourselves up for Australia.”
Having beaten Australia by five wickets in their opening match, South Africa look favourites to retain the trophy they won four years ago.

GB were scheduled to play Australia on Thursday followed by India today.

GB juniors lost their first two matches against Israel and South Africa. Israel posted 242-7. In reply, GB made a promising start and at the halfway point were 100-1. But they collapsed and lost by 65 runs.
Batting frailties came to the fore against South Africa as GB were dismissed for 80, 30 runs of which came through extras. SA rattled the runs off for the loss of one wicket.