On This Day: November 18, 2007

The Croatian Cricket side created history by being the first International side to play a cricket international in Israel since the formation of the modern Israeli state.

The historical match played on Sunday November 18th 2007, was played in sunshine at Hadar Yosef in Tel Aviv on a flicx rollout pitch which was foreign for the Croatian side having never played on that surface before. Along with the new surface, Croatia also had to deal with travel. The side had to endure very long flights as they flew in from various parts of the world just before match day.

Having won the toss and deciding to bat first, the Croatian openers, brothers Paul and John Vujnovich, safely negotiated the opening spells of the Israeli opening bowlers. With the score at 32 without loss after 10 overs, the first wicket came with Isaac Massil's first ball pulled firmly by Paul Vujnovich (16) to mid wicket where Danny Hotz took the catch. By now the runs started to dry up for the Croatians, with the Israeli bowlers settling on a good line and length. Captain John Vujnovich was playing the anchor role well holding up one end as the wickets fell around him. Good partnerships by Vujnovich (51) and Pero Kastelan (17) and then between Craig Sinovich (13) and Phil Siljeg (27) at the death saw Croatia get up to 152/7 in their allotted 45 overs.

Israel got off to an awful start as both openers edged to the slip cordon. Croatia had their 3rd wicket soon after when John Vujnovich trapped Sanjay Gupta plumb in front and the Israeli's were reeling at 9/3. Herschel Gutman and Isaac Massil steadied the ship with a good partnership that put the Israeli's back in it. The partnership of 62 was finally broken when Massil (29) was bowled by Paul Vujnovich. Danny Hotz came to the wicket and added 29 with Gutman to take the score to 100 before Govorko combined with Siljeg to remove him. Captain Stanley Perlman strode to the wicket with 53 required off the last 11 overs. However going for one big hit too many, he could only sky Sinovich up in the air and was caught for 12. Gutman's excellent innings of 44 was ended by a good catch at mid wicket where Pivac held on to a firm pull shot. Israel refused to throw in the towel, adding 16 for the 9th wicket. But their hopes took a dive when Talkar was run out, and last man Shein joined Razpurker at the crease with Israel needing 7 to win off 12 balls. Big Phil Siljeg sent the Croatians into jubilant celebrations as he knocked over Razpurker.
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Celebrations continued well into the Tel Aviv night as Croatia completed a historical win and promotion to Division 2.

Full Scorecard:

Paul Vujnovich c Danny Hotz b Isaac Masil..........16
John Vujnovich c Shailes Bangerry b Isaac Talkar..........51
Chris Pivac lbw b Steven Shein..........8
Jeff Grzinic c & b Herschel Gutman..........0
Anthony Govorko lbw b Herschel Gutman..........0
Pero Kastelan c Shailes Bangerry b Isaac Talkar..........17
Craig Sinovich b Isaac Masil...........13
Phillip Siljeg not out...........27
Ivan Bilic not out..........1

Extras (b 1,lb 10, w 7, nb 1) 19
Total (7 wickets, 45 overs) 152

FoW: 1-32 (Paul Vujnovich), 2-48 (Chris Pivac),
3-59 (Jeff Grzinic), 4-63 (Anthony Govorko),
5-106 (Pero Kastelan), 6-106 (John Vujnovich),
7-149 (Craig Sinovich).

Bowling O M R W
Isaac Talkar......9.......0......57......2
Sanjay Gupta.......9.......3.......14.......0
Isaac Massil.......9.......2......27.......2
Herschel Gutman.......9......0......25......2
Steven Shein......9.......4.......18......1

Israel innings (target: 153 runs from 45 overs)

Shalom Rubin c Zdenko Leko b John Vujnovich..........0
Dovi Myers c Paul Vujnovich b Phillip Siljeg..........0
Sanjay Gupta lbw b John Vujnovich..........6
Herschel Gutman c Chris Pivac b John Vujnovich..........44
Isaac Massil b Paul Vujnovich..........29
Danny Hotz c Anthony Govorko b Phillip Siljeg..........14
Stanley Perlman c Phillip Siljeg b Craig SInovich..........12
Shai Bangerra b Chris Pivac..........8
Yaniv Razpurkar b Phillip Siljeg..........15
Isaac Talkar run out..........4
Steven Shein not out..........0
Extras (b 1,lb 5, w 9) 15
Total (all out, 44.2 overs) 147

FoW: 1-2 (Shalom Rubin), 2-5 (Dovi Myers),
3-9 (Sanjay Gupta), 4-71 (Isaac Massil),
5-100 (Danny Hotz), 6-119 (Stanley Perlman),
7-126 (Herschel Gutman), 8-130 (Shai Bangerra),
9-146 (Isaac Talkar), 10-147 (Yaniv Razpurkar).

Bowling O M R W
Phillip Siljeg......8.2..... 2..... 23...... 3
John Vujnovich.....9......0......27......3
Chris Pivac....... 7......2.......24......1
Jeff Grzinic......9......3......29......0
Paul Vujnovich......9.......0.......29......1
Craig Sinovich.......2......0......9......1