Superb Naguakar becomes youngest league centurion

Safania Naguakar - epic innings of 134* © Israel Cricket

15 - year old Safania Naguakar became the youngest player to score a league century, scoring 134 not out for the Negev Academy 2nd X1, in their Division 3 league game against Ra'anana 2nd team, played in Be'er Sheva on Friday. Naguakar batted through the innings with unwavering concentration and faultless shot selection, not offering a single chance in his epic knock. Although Ra'anana conceded far too many extras, the bowling was more than satisfactory, making Naguakar's innings all that more impressive.

Apart from Naguakar, Shlomi Pinto once again showed his talent with an aggressive 57, and Nir Dokarker contributed 36, as the home side amassed 301 for 3 in their 40 overs. Shifron Waskar grabbed 3 early wickets to leave Ra'anana at 13 for 3 after 3 overs, and in danger of suffering a massive defeat. However Gabi Schachat and Shlomi Korman showed both character and skill in rebuilding the innings, adding 69 for the 4th wicket, before Korman was bowled by Shai Divekar for 32. Schachat and Mikki Cohen continued to add runs, keeping their side in with a chance of victory all the while. However when Divekar claimed his second wicket, bowling Schachat for an excellent 50, the game was essentially over as a contest. Ra'anana, needing to get home before Shabbat, conceded defeat with their score on 154 for 5 after 26 overs.

Samson Ashtamkar - 123* for Lions Be'er Sheva © Israel Cricket

Apart from giving the Negev Academy 2 a winning start to the season, the game once again highlighted the tremendous talent amongst Israel's junior players, with all the run scorers and wicket takers aged between 13 and 15 years old. It now remains to be seen how they fair against the adult teams in their division.

Rishon L'Zion made their league debut on Saturday, but proved no match for Lions Be'er Sheva, the favored team to earn promotion from Division 3. Rishon would probably have regretted their decision to field first, as the home team went on a run spree, amassing 323 for 4 in their 40 overs. Samson Ashtamkar led the way, scoring an undefeated 123. Norman Sankar contributed 69. Rafi Penkar returned the very respectable figures of 3 for 54 for Rishon.

Raymond Waskar claimed 4 wickets for just 7 runs in his 8 overs, as Rishon were bundled out for 106 in reply. Only Yonni Sidelsky (24) managed to spend any length of time at the crease, as Lions completed a massive 217-run victory.

Completing a successful weekend of Negev cricket, the Negev Academy 1st X1 scored an impressive win over the Diamonds in a Division 2 league match played in Dimona on Saturday. Michael Muchie starred with an innings of 59, and Shai Hayun (38) and Ronen Waskar (34) also made contributions at the top of the order. Amit Shah (3 for 27) was the best of the Diamond bowlers.

Diamonds made a positive start to their run chase, but the introduction of the spin twins, Waskar and Solomon Varsulkar, put a halt on the scoring rate leading to a flurry of wickets. Varsulkar claimed three wickets in a fine spell, including that of top scorer Shailesh Bothra (67). The Diamonds finished their innings on 222 for 8, giving the Academy victory by 30 runs.