Latvia: Riga Cricket Club lives on

Cricket in Latvia had its first known origins in 1998 when staff from the British Embassy in Riga, the country's capital, gathered together to treat themselves to a taste of home.

Last year was a high point in the short history of Latvian cricket with the formation of the Riga Cricket Club and its participation in the Tallinn Cup, a tournament hosted by the Estonia Cricket Club, the Baltics' other cricket club.

Now the club has more of an Indian influence, with its 15 or so hardy members playing every Sunday during summer when the weather permits.

With cricket gear not freely available in Riga sports stores, its members were forced to import it from India.

The Latvian summer is more like a slight punctuation in its winter with a small window of opportunity for play only lasting from April to July.

Club spokesman, Sumit Chakravorty, said the club would like to entice Latvians to the game but lacks the personnel with the necessary spare time. He will not be deflected easily.

"Personally I am sold to this game and am ready to do anything possible to promote it."

If you are in Latvia and would like a game of cricket, feel free to email Sumit at sfw@sfw.vip.lv