Cricket in Finland has a longer history than you can imagine. The first games were played in the 1960s by ubiquitous and mysterious Palmerstons society who played in Tapiola (suburb of Helsinki) Cricket began to organise itself in the 1970s under the auspices of the Helsinki Cricket Club, the oldest existing club in Finland, who notably played a game against the British Moscow before the end of the Cold War.

The contemporary growth of the game dates from the mid 1990s with the development of Turku, SKK and Vantaa as clubs to challenge the monopoly of Helsinki Cricket Club. With the welcoming involvement of the European Cricket Council the current state of Finnish cricket is one of rapid development.

In 2001 there were 4 clubs contesting the Finnish League. This year there will be 7 clubs contesting in the League. The new clubs are Espoo, Tampere and MTS, a club made up of indigenous Finnish cricketers. Finland boasts over 20 ECB level 1 coaches and over 30 qualified umpires. With over 300 male players and 30 ladies, Finland is gradually consolidating its ICC Affiliate Status gained in 1999.

The Finnish Cricket Association is busy expanding all areas of Finnish cricket including a youth policy targeting schools in Helsinki and beyond. The strengthening of club cricket in Finland has greatly increased Finland's ability to host high quality touring sites. Every year SKK hosts an International Six-a-Side tournament in early July. So don't be surprised if in future years the words Finland and cricket are heard in close proximity.