DANIEL GARB IN LOD

AUSTRALIA’S cricket team lost to India on Friday in another inconsistent display and will have to rely on other results just to play off for a bronze medal in the Maccabiah Games. On Thursday, the cricketers could do no wrong in their demolition of Great, but the Indian side had proved already with a solid showing against South Africa that they were no mugs.

And with the Australian battling line-up throwing away wickets all too easily, their total of 156 always seemed too low as a target.

Brad Majtlis carried on from where he left off against the Brits, striking the new ball cleanly to get the Aussies off to a quick start.

However, brother David Majtlis went cheaply and when Brad then fell for 27, no-one else was able to dominate the bowling.

Dylan Weiner, Brett Rosen and Dean Wiener all made handy contributions but the wickets fell all too regularly.

The team showed its inexperience by failing to demonstrate patience at the wicket and frustrate the Indian bowlers.

The sub-continent side had been easy beats at previous Maccabiahs, but showed dramatic improvement this time around, especially with the bat.

They were watchful at the crease and managed to pick the gaps perfectly to cruise to a six-wicket win.

Dean Beissel and David Fayman both took early wickets, but the Aussies never really got on top and slowly watched their chances of playing off against South Africa slip away.

Australia needs India to beat Great Britain in order to qualify for the bronze medal playoff against the Brits.

The gold medal game is likely to be between India and South Africa.