Photo © Israel Cricket Association

The European "Spirit of Cricket" initiative got off to a fantastic start, as Israel began their activities with a hugely successful Cricket Day held at Hadar Yosef on Lag B'Omer, Tuesday April 30.

The highlight of the day was a 12-hour batting marathon. Having started at 8.30 in the morning, 14 year old Dani Hotz, one of Israel's most promising young players, batted through the morning, through the afternoon and into the evening, eventually taking off his pads and laying down his bat at 20:30, having set a new European record for the longest time ever having spent batting in the nets.

Dani received much assistance from the almost 120 children who came to join in the fun. Whilst they were there to participate in a mini-cricket tournament, they all also took turns in bowling at Dani, trying their best to get him out. The "batathon" achieved all its intended goals –

· Massive excitement was generated amongst everybody involved with Israeli cricket, and in particular the children, who were all interested in seeing if "the record could be broken" and if Dani "could last for 12 hours".

· Dani himself received 12 hours of batting practice.

· 100 children all got bowling practice, many of them getting their first chance of bowling with a proper ball in the nets.

Photo © Israel Cricket Association

The tournament itself produced its fair share of exciting and memorable moments. There was the hat trick taken by Shachar, an 11-year old from kibbutz Be'erot Yitzchak, 5-year old Micha made his tournament debut for Ra'anana, and Amit, a 12-year old boy from Be'er Sheva participated…this having spent the past 7 months in hospital having been knocked down by a car. Amit's effort in playing through the tournament, running and bowling and batting just like all the other kids gives a new relevance to the term "spirit of cricket". He was awarded with a special prize for his heart – warming courage.

The tournament featured 14 teams, divided into 3 groups. Group A was won by Be'er Sheva 1, Dimona 1 were the only undefeated team in Group B, whilst Dimona 2 and Ra'anana 3 finished joint champions of Group C.

© ISR