Security remains a problem

WHAT is widely being called the 'Israeli Situation' is causing serious problems for the organisers of the ECC European Championships. The Glasgow Stop the War Coalition and representatives of the local Lebanese community plan to hold a mass demonstration at Israel's match against Norway at Old Anniesland today.

To combat potential disruption the tournament organisers are juggling fixtures around because of the security issues.

The Weir's Club that was due to host Israel's match with Jersey on Wednesday had received phonecalls and letters of protest in the run up to the fixture.

When demonstrators turned up at the same ground a day later only to discover Israel's game had been replaced by Guernsey v. Gibraltar, Strathclyde police retained two policemEn at the ground for the majority of the day.

The Israeli team themselves are keeping a low profile at the hotel where all the squads are staying. Security is tight around the Israelis.

They received a police escort whenever they leave the premises.

But despite the political furore, relationships between Israel and the other countries involved is very good.

When they flew into Glasgow from Heathrow for the tournament, Norway were on the same plane. The Norwegian team is 100% Asian and both sets of players shook hands when they landed.

'Cricket has always been a sport that brings together people of cultural diversity and that's why it's a tragedy that this tournament had been disrupted before it had even begun,' said the event manager, Mike Stanger.

Meanwhile, the Guernsey squad have been instructed by the ECC not to comment at all on the Israeli stuation.

Only management are permitted to speak and on their day off yesterday none of the Sarnian hierarchy was prepared to say anything on the security question.

Guernsey play Germany today at Clydesdale Cricket Club and manager Dave Hearse has made three changes to the team that beat Gibraltar by seven wickets on Thursday.

Andy Biggins is rested and hands the captain's arm band to Cobo's Stuart Le Prevost. Pierre Moody and Mark Jefferies also step down, while Richard Veillard and bowlers Steve Queripel and Kris Moherndl all come in.

'Pierre has stiff calves and Biggsy has a stiff back,' said Hearse.

'They will now have two sessions of physio before tomorrow's game with Greece. We've picked a squad and we're not here to give everyone a game but I want people to be able to have match experience so that we can call on them if need be in the later stages.'