Israeli cricket team
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The Israeli cricket team is the team that represents the country of Israel in international cricket matches. Despite being geographically part of the Middle East, they are members of the European Cricket Council.
History
Beginnings
As is most often the case, cricket was introduced to Israel by the British. Local enthusiasts managed to keep the game going once the British had left in 1948, but the game was struggling until the mid 1960s, when an influx of Jewish immigrants from cricket playing countries revived the game.
The first national league was formed in 1966, which lead the formation of the Israel Cricket Association (ICA) in 1968. The league prospered despite conditions ill-suited to cricket. Games were played on dusty, grass-less football fields, on matting wickets. However, the enthusiasm of the players has overcome these drawbacks.
ICC Membership
Israel became an associate member of the ICC in 1974, with only Pakistan opposing their membership. Israel competed in the first ICC Trophy in 1979, and have competed in every one since, with the exception of the 2005 tournament, for which they failed to qualify.
They haven't had much success in the ICC Trophy, but the 1997 tournament in Malaysia gave them a brief, though unwanted, moment in the spotlight. Malaysia does not recognise the state of Israel, and they faced political demonstrations throughout the tournament from the Islamic Party of Malaysia. They were the first Israeli sports team to play in the country.
In addition to the ICC Trophy, Israel have also competed in every edition of the European Championship.
Tournament History
Israel have never qualified for the Cricket World Cup.
European Championship
- 1996: 8th place
- 1998: 9th place
- 2000: 5th place (Division Two)
- 2002: 4th place (Division Two)
- 2004: 6th place (Division Two)
Cricket in 2006
European Championship
In August 2006, Israel will participate in Division Two of the European Championship, to be played in Scotland. They are in the same group as Italy, Jersey and Norway. Germany, Gibraltar, Greece and Guernsey are in the other group. A top two finish in this tournament will give them a chance at qualification for the 2011 World Cup.
The same month, Israel will host their first international tournament, the second division of the European Under-17 championship.
| National cricket teams |
|---|
| Test cricket>Test and ODI (10): Australia | Bangladesh | England | India | New Zealand | Pakistan | South Africa | Sri Lanka | West Indies | Zimbabwe |
| One-day International>ODI (6): Bermuda | Canada | Ireland | Kenya | Netherlands | Scotland |
| Other List of International Cricket Council members>ICC associate members (26): Argentina | Belgium | Botswana | Cayman Islands | Denmark | Fiji | France | Germany | Gibraltar | Hong Kong | Israel | Italy | Japan | Kuwait | Malaysia | Namibia | Nepal | Nigeria | Papua New Guinea | Singapore | Tanzania | Thailand | Uganda | United Arab Emirates | United States | Zambia |
| Some List of International Cricket Council members>ICC affiliate members (5 of 54): Afghanistan | Austria | Cuba | Norway | Oman > |
| Non-members: Barbadian cricket team>Barbados | East Africa | Guyana | Jamaica | Trinidad and Tobago | Wales |
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