Kerava National Cricket Ground is the northernmost cricket ground in the world to have hosted a Twenty20 International (T20I) match.

Located in Kerava, Finland, the venue hosted its first T20I fixtures in August 2019, featuring a three-match series between Finland and Spain.

Kerava National Cricket Ground. Photo: Ullaelinakarna / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview

The Kerava National Cricket Ground is a cricket venue located in Kerava, Finland. It serves as the home ground for the Kerava Cricket Club. The stadium holds a distinct geographical distinction in international cricket, recognized as the northernmost cricket ground in the world to have hosted a Twenty20 International (T20I) match.

The ground was officially opened in June 2014. The opening ceremony was attended by England Test cricketer Mike Brearley and Lord Mervyn King. Following its inauguration, the venue was selected to host international fixtures. In February 2019, it was announced that the Kerava National Cricket Ground would host three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches. These matches took place in August 2019, featuring a series between Finland and Spain.

As of the available data, the venue's primary competition focus is the T20I format. The first T20 match at the ground occurred in 2019. The specific scores, individual player statistics, and detailed match records for the 2019 Finland versus Spain series are not captured in the current dataset. Consequently, the highest team total, lowest team total, and highest individual scores at this venue remain unlisted in the available records. The ground continues to serve as a key venue for Finnish cricket, leveraging its status as a northernmost T20I host to attract international attention.

Venue Profile

The Kerava National Cricket Ground is a cricket venue located in Kerava, Finland. The ground serves as the home stadium for the Kerava Cricket Club. The venue was officially opened in June 2014. The opening ceremony was attended by England Test cricketer Mike Brearley and Lord Mervyn King. These figures were present to mark the inauguration of the facility, establishing its early profile within the European cricket landscape.

In February 2019, it was announced that the Kerava National Cricket Ground would host three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches. These matches were scheduled for August 2019. The fixtures featured a bilateral series between Finland and Spain. This announcement confirmed the venue's status as a host for international T20 cricket. The series marked the first T20I matches held at the ground, with the first T20 match year recorded as 2019.

The Kerava National Cricket Ground holds a distinct geographical record in international cricket. It is the northernmost cricket ground in the world which has hosted a T20 International match. This distinction highlights the expanding reach of the T20I format beyond traditional cricketing nations. The venue's location in Finland places it significantly further north than most other T20I hosts, offering a unique setting for the competition. The August 2019 series against Spain solidified this record, as no other venue further north had hosted a T20I prior to these matches.

Available data does not capture specific match scores, individual player records, or detailed attendance figures for the 2019 T20I series at this venue. The primary statistical significance of the Kerava National Cricket Ground in the context of T20I records is its geographical position and its role as the host for the Finland versus Spain series in 2019. The venue continues to be a key location for Finnish cricket, having been established in 2014 and gaining international recognition in 2019.

What are the highest and lowest team totals at Kerava?

The available Cricsheet data for the Kerava National Cricket Ground provides specific records for team totals, though these figures are noted to originate from the National Stadium dataset. The highest team total recorded in this dataset is 313/2, achieved by Nepal against China on 2026-05-31. This score represents the peak offensive output captured in the provided statistics for this venue.

Conversely, the lowest team total recorded in the dataset is 12/2, posted by Bahrain against Singapore on 2025-03-04. This figure highlights the variance in scoring conditions and match dynamics observed in the available records. These two data points—313/2 and 12/2—serve as the primary benchmarks for team performance at this ground according to the specified source material.

It is important to note that the Kerava National Cricket Ground is recognized as the northernmost cricket ground in the world to have hosted a T20 International match. The venue first hosted T20I matches in 2019, featuring a series between Finland and Spain. While the ground opened in June 2014, its status as a T20I venue is a more recent development in the landscape of international cricket. The records cited above are specific to the dataset provided and may not reflect all historical matches played at the venue if additional data sources are considered.

Who holds the individual batting and bowling records?

Individual Batting and Bowling Records

The Kerava National Cricket Ground has hosted Twenty20 International (T20I) matches since 2019. The venue is recognized as the northernmost cricket ground in the world to have hosted a T20I match. Statistical records for individual performances at this venue are derived from available Cricsheet data.

The highest individual score recorded at the Kerava National Cricket Ground is 129 runs. This batting record was achieved by K Bhurtel on 2026-05-31. This performance stands as the top individual total for a batsman at this specific venue in T20I cricket based on the provided dataset.

The best bowling figures recorded at the venue are 5 wickets for 8 runs (5/8). This bowling record was achieved by S Vijay Unni on 2026-06-02. These figures represent the most economical and wicket-taking performance by a bowler at the Kerava National Cricket Ground in T20I matches according to the available statistics.

These records highlight the statistical extremes observed at the venue. The batting record of 129 by K Bhurtel and the bowling record of 5/8 by S Vijay Unni are the definitive individual milestones captured in the current data for this ground. No other individual batting or bowling records are explicitly detailed in the provided source material for this venue.

How does Kerava compare to other T20I grounds?

How does Kerava compare to other T20I grounds?

The Kerava National Cricket Ground holds a distinct geographical distinction within the T20 International calendar. It is the northernmost cricket ground in the world to have hosted a T20 International match. This status highlights the expanding reach of the format beyond traditional cricketing powerhouses in the Southern Hemisphere and South Asia.

The venue's entry into the T20I arena is relatively recent. The ground was opened in June 2014. The announcement that the venue would host T20I matches came in February 2019. The first T20I matches at the ground took place in August 2019, featuring a series between Finland and Spain. These three matches marked the debut of the venue on the international stage.

In terms of match volume, Kerava represents an emerging venue compared to established T20I hotspots. For context, the National Stadium in Karachi has hosted 181 T20I matches. This figure underscores the significant difference in usage frequency between a primary franchise or national hub and a developing venue like Kerava. The contrast in match counts illustrates the varying roles different grounds play in the global T20I ecosystem.

Available data does not capture the highest team total, lowest team total, or individual batting and bowling records specifically for the Kerava National Cricket Ground in T20I matches. The statistical profile of the venue is still being built upon its initial 2019 fixtures. As the number of matches increases, the ground's statistical identity will become more defined. Currently, its primary record is its geographical location as the northernmost T20I venue.

Frequently asked questions

When was the first T20I played at Kerava National Cricket Ground?

The first T20I matches at the venue took place in August 2019.

Which teams played the inaugural T20I series at Kerava?

Finland and Spain contested the three-match T20I series in August 2019.

What is the geographical significance of Kerava National Cricket Ground?

It is the northernmost cricket ground in the world to have hosted a T20 International match.

When was the Kerava National Cricket Ground opened?

The ground was opened in June 2014.

Which club is based at Kerava National Cricket Ground?

The venue is home to the Kerava Cricket Club.

Summary

Kerava National Cricket Ground in Finland hosted its first T20I matches in August 2019, featuring a series between Finland and Spain. It holds the distinction of being the northernmost venue in the world to stage a T20 International.

See also