Baltic bash offers a rare experience

Officiating an international cricket game near the Arctic Circle under the midnight sun proved an eye opener for promising Blenheim cricket umpire Andrew Holdaway.

The Blenheim policeman can now add Finland to his list of match venues.

Andrew chanced upon the rare opportunity to take his place behind the wicket at the Nordic Baltic T20 international cricket tournament while visiting his brother-in-law, and Finland cricket representative, Karl Fitzpatrick, in Helsinki last year.

‘‘My brother-in-law lives in Helsinki and asked me to umpire while I was visiting him for his marriage,’’ he says.

The two-day tournament featured a tri-series between hosts Finland, Sweden and Estonia.

Not regarded as powerhouses of the game, the three nations rely on a healthy number of English, Australian and New Zealand expats, as well as a rising number of migrants from the Middle East and India to bolster domestic club competitions.

‘‘The quality of play is on a par with senior club level in Marlborough and each country is working hard to encourage more players to become involved,’’ Andrew says.

Finland had two homegrown players in the squad with the remainder of the team made up of foreigners.

‘‘The local players are definitely outnumbered in the club competition which plays for three months in Finland, using Helsinki as the base.’’

In spite of the small player base, the facilities were straight out of a cricket green in England, he says.

‘‘There was one cricket ground in Helsinki which has an artificial wicket and is surrounded by a picket fence, much as you would see in England.’’

Andrew umpired the final between Finland and Sweden, which was completed close to midnight with no ground lighting necessary because of the extreme summer daylight hours.

Away from his international duties, Andrew is fast becoming a proficient umpire in the Marlborough region.

The former Red Devils rugby representative has umpired at Hawke Cup level, and was awarded the Hugh Stratford Trophy for most promising young umpire in Central Districts last season.

He has been selected to umpire games at the national club cricket tournament due to be held in Auckland in April.

PHOTO: SCOTT HAMMOND/FAIRFAX NZ Marlborough cricket umpire Andrew Holdaway relished his Finnish experience.