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History Lithuanian Cricket

The Lithuanian Cricket Federation oversees the domestic league and selects the national team for international fixtures and competitions. The game is developing quickly and an application to the European Cricket Council is underway, with the objective of being officially endorsed by the International Cricket Council.

Cricket first came to Lithuania on the 2nd August 2005 when the British Embassy hosted a game. On a gloriously sunny summer evening, players from Lithuania, England, Scotland, Sweden, Hungary, Spain, Australia, Canada and the USA enjoyed batting, bowling and fielding in the grounds of the Lithuanian Military Academy.

Below are photos of those involved and also the first ball being bowled by the then British Ambassador (Colin Roberts) to the Vice Consul (Helena Hagstrom, who is actually Swedish) at the Danish Embassy.

 


Lithuanian Cricket Federation

The Lithuanian Cricket Federation was formed in 2007 and last year began organising regular club competitions. In co-ordination with the European Cricket Council, the LCF actively encourages greater participation by Lithuanians in the sport, holding regular open days for beginners.

At present the Lithuanian Cricket Federation has 2 registered teams, and is developing its ladies and junior programmes. Cricket in Lithuania benefits from close ties with the British Embassy, British Chamber of Commerce Lithuania, and support from the ECB.

Not until 2007, when renowned artist and director Darius Miksys returned from London UK, did cricket really take off in Lithuania. Throughout 2007, Darius worked tirelessly to establish the game in Lithuania, co-operating with schools and securing facilities across Vilnius. As a result, the Lithuanian Cricket federation is based at the Geležinio Vilko sports club and cricket is now taught at Sv Kaziemro School. Last summer, Darius was unanimously elected as chairman of the Lithuanian Cricket Federation. Other members of the LCF board – Stuart Kemp, Michael West, Simon Rees, Nair Padmanabhan, and Alistair Day-Stirrat – help support Darius’ work.

As well as a smattering of Lithuanian talent, the club has welcomed members from as far as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and India, alongside the obligatory Welsh, Scottish, Irish and, of course, English.


Famous Lithuanian Cricketers

This is a tricky one: we’ve found three, but none of them have ever played cricket here - something we are trying to change!
The first one’s a little tenuous: Louis Bookman (6 November 1890 – 10 June 1943), also known as Louis Buckhalter or Louis Buchalter, was a Lithuanian-Jewish footballer and cricketer who represented his adopted country, Ireland, at both sports.

Did you know…

The second is (Dr) Aron "Ali" Bacher, born in Johannesburg in 1942 to Lithuanian-Jewish parents, who emigrated to South Africa, where got his nickname "Ali" at the age of seven. The third is Ali’s nephew Adam Bacher who recently represented South Africa.

If you know any famous Lithuanian Cricketers, Cricketers with Lithuanian ancestry, please get in touch as we are compiling a record. Furthermore, if you know anyone that would like to trace his or her cricketing routes (such as Ali Bacher), please contact us forthwith.