R. Premadasa Stadium
Encyclopedia
R. Premadasa Stadium is a cricket
stadium situated on Khettarama Road, Maligawatta
, Colombo
, Sri Lanka
. The stadium was, prior to June 1994, known as the Khettarama Cricket Stadium and is today one of the main venues in which the Sri Lanka
n cricket team play. Also it has hosted more than 100 one day international matches.
n President Ranasinghe Premadasa
, who championed the development of this 35,000-seater concrete bowl, the biggest stadium in Sri Lanka. Opened on February 2, 1986 with a match between a Sri Lanka 'B' side and an England
'B' team, the stadium was built on swampland previously used by monks ferrying across to the Khettarama temple adjacent to the stadium.
. On August 28, 1992 it hosted its inaugural Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia
. The venue is best remembered for holding the world record for the highest Test total - 952/6 declared by Sri Lanka against India
in 1997/1998 in which former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya
scored 340 and Roshan Mahanama 225, the pair sharing a partnership 576 for the second wicket, which was then the highest for any wicket in a Test Match. Since that record-breaking match, it has hosted just one Test against New Zealand
. Invariably flat, the pitches are slow in pace and low in bounce.
A new training center has been developed behind the stadium with 16 practice pitches and dormitories for the Sony Max Cricket Academy which started in 2003.
. The Stadium has been undergoing large-scale renovations since 2009. The Stadium has had its seating capacity increase from 14,000 to 35,000, the media-box accommodating 200 journalists, and other various upgrades. The renovations have cost Sri Lanka Cricket
eight million dollars. In July 2010, a report filed by the ICC pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson raised concerns over the condition of the outfield and the pitch claiming he was worried at the slow pace of progress. Although none of the buildings at the stadium were near completion, the 2nd Test of the West Indies tour of Sri Lanka in 2010, was held at the venue between 23–27 November. Sri Lanka Cricket defended choosing the stadium saying that the decision to stage a game was to allow cricketers to acclimatize themselves to the ground ahead of the World Cup games. The Test match was staged using temporary seating for spectators in a corner of the stadium as only players' pavilions had permanent arrangements. Since the press box was not completed reporters and commentators facing technical difficulties used a makeshift arrangement.
The main 4 public stands were refurbished along with the Player dressing room area and the corporate boxes.A VIP car park is situated in the Northern end of the ground.
secretary Nishantha Ranatunga confirmed that first edition of 2011 Sri Lankan T20 Premier League's matches will play at R Premadasa Stadium. The tournament was later postponed till 2012 due to financial complications and internal regime change at Sri Lanka Cricket.
On 21 September 2011, it was announced that R. Premadasa stadium will host fifteen 2012 ICC World Twenty20
matches, including semi-finals and the final.
Since the renovation work has been completed, the Premadasa Stadium's 35,000 capacity creates an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.
and 2011
ICC cricket world cups R.Premadasa stadium hosted 9 matches including a quarter-final match and a semi-final match. It has hosted the highest number of cricket world cup matches in Sri Lanka
.
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
was held in Sri Lanka
. Nine matches played in R.Premadasa stadium including semi-finals and the final. Other matches played in SSC
.
Semi-finals
Final
will host the 2012 ICC World Twenty20
. Fifteen out of twenty seven matches are due to play in R. Premadasa stadium, including semi-finals and the final. Other matches will be played in Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
and Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium.
Super 8s
Semi-finals
Final
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
stadium situated on Khettarama Road, Maligawatta
Maligawatta
Maligawatta is a suburb in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Maligawatta is located approximately 3 kilometres north-east from the centre of Colombo, Colombo Fort. The name Maligawatta is from the Sinhalese language which translates into 'Garden of the palace'....
, Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. The stadium was, prior to June 1994, known as the Khettarama Cricket Stadium and is today one of the main venues in which the Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n cricket team play. Also it has hosted more than 100 one day international matches.
Early history
The stadium is the brainchild of the late Sri LankaSri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n President Ranasinghe Premadasa
Ranasinghe Premadasa
Ranasinghe Premadasa was the 3rd President of Sri Lanka from January 2, 1989 to May 1, 1993. Before that, he served as the Prime Minister in the government headed by J. R. Jayewardene from February 6, 1978 to January 1, 1989...
, who championed the development of this 35,000-seater concrete bowl, the biggest stadium in Sri Lanka. Opened on February 2, 1986 with a match between a Sri Lanka 'B' side and an England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
'B' team, the stadium was built on swampland previously used by monks ferrying across to the Khettarama temple adjacent to the stadium.
Ground history
The inaugural One Day International was played on April 5, 1986 between Sri Lanka and New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. On August 28, 1992 it hosted its inaugural Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The venue is best remembered for holding the world record for the highest Test total - 952/6 declared by Sri Lanka against India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in 1997/1998 in which former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Teran Jayasuriya is a former Sri Lankan cricketer. An all-rounder, he played for the Sri Lankan cricket team from 1989 to 2011...
scored 340 and Roshan Mahanama 225, the pair sharing a partnership 576 for the second wicket, which was then the highest for any wicket in a Test Match. Since that record-breaking match, it has hosted just one Test against New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Invariably flat, the pitches are slow in pace and low in bounce.
A new training center has been developed behind the stadium with 16 practice pitches and dormitories for the Sony Max Cricket Academy which started in 2003.
Renovation
The Premadasa Stadium underwent a reconstruction project in preparation for the 2011 Cricket World Cup2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
. The Stadium has been undergoing large-scale renovations since 2009. The Stadium has had its seating capacity increase from 14,000 to 35,000, the media-box accommodating 200 journalists, and other various upgrades. The renovations have cost Sri Lanka Cricket
Sri Lanka Cricket
Sri Lanka Cricket, formerly the Board for Cricket Control in Sri Lanka , is the controlling body for cricket in Sri Lanka. It operates the Sri Lankan cricket team and first-class cricket within Sri Lanka....
eight million dollars. In July 2010, a report filed by the ICC pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson raised concerns over the condition of the outfield and the pitch claiming he was worried at the slow pace of progress. Although none of the buildings at the stadium were near completion, the 2nd Test of the West Indies tour of Sri Lanka in 2010, was held at the venue between 23–27 November. Sri Lanka Cricket defended choosing the stadium saying that the decision to stage a game was to allow cricketers to acclimatize themselves to the ground ahead of the World Cup games. The Test match was staged using temporary seating for spectators in a corner of the stadium as only players' pavilions had permanent arrangements. Since the press box was not completed reporters and commentators facing technical difficulties used a makeshift arrangement.
The main 4 public stands were refurbished along with the Player dressing room area and the corporate boxes.A VIP car park is situated in the Northern end of the ground.
Stadium Plan
Pavillions A and B are fully equipped with seating in two tiers,lower and higher.several Corporate boxes .are also built in these two stands. Pavillions C and D are built between the scoreboard in the stadium with two tiered seating system.The lower tiers have concrete paving allocated for floor seating and the upper tier includes fully standard seating blocks.The grand stand and top level block above the player pavillions have enhanced quality seating.After Renovation
The R Premadasa Stadium hosted seven successful world cup matches including a quarter-final and a semi-final. On 10 May 2011 Sri Lanka CricketSri Lanka Cricket
Sri Lanka Cricket, formerly the Board for Cricket Control in Sri Lanka , is the controlling body for cricket in Sri Lanka. It operates the Sri Lankan cricket team and first-class cricket within Sri Lanka....
secretary Nishantha Ranatunga confirmed that first edition of 2011 Sri Lankan T20 Premier League's matches will play at R Premadasa Stadium. The tournament was later postponed till 2012 due to financial complications and internal regime change at Sri Lanka Cricket.
On 21 September 2011, it was announced that R. Premadasa stadium will host fifteen 2012 ICC World Twenty20
2012 ICC World Twenty20
-Group B:---------Group C:---------Group D:---------Super 8s:The Super 8s stage consists of the top two teams from each group of the group stage. The teams are split into two groups, Groups 1 and 2. Group 1 will consist of the top seed from Groups A and C, and the second seed of groups B and D...
matches, including semi-finals and the final.
Since the renovation work has been completed, the Premadasa Stadium's 35,000 capacity creates an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.
Test cricket
- The highest Test total at the R Premadasa Stadium is 952/6 declared by Sri Lanka against India in 1997.
- The lowest Test total is 86 by Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in 2005.
- Sanath Jayasuriya scored 340 against India in 1997. This remains the highest score at R Premadasa stadium.
- The 36 wickets captured by Muttiah MuralitharanMuttiah MuralitharanMuttiah Muralitharan , often referred to as Murali, is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who was rated the greatest Test match bowler ever by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 2002...
remains the most number of wickets at the R Premadasa stadium. - The best bowling figures in an innings is 6/18 by Muttiah Muralitharan against Bangladesh in the 2005/06 season.
- Muttiah Muralitharan's 9/60 remains the best bowling figures in a match.
One Day Internationals
- The highest ODI total is 363/5 by India against Sri Lanka on February 3, 2009.
- Sanath Jayasuriya has scored 2514 runs and is the highest by a single player at the Premadasa stadium. Marvan AtapattuMarvan AtapattuMarvan Samson Atapattu is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and former Sri Lankan captain. Towards the end of his career he joined the Indian Cricket League and captained the Delhi Giants...
, Aravinda de SilvaAravinda de SilvaPinnaduwage Aravinda de Silva is a former Sri Lankan cricketer, who is considered one of the finest batsmen produced by the country.He is also regarded as one of the most elegant batsman in his generation, and to date is the only player to make a hundred and take 3 or more wickets in a world cup...
, Mahela JayawardeneMahela JayawardeneDenagamage Proboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene , known as Mahela Jayawardene, is the former captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team. He is a specialist batsman who has a Test average of over 50, and an ODI average in the 30s...
, Kumar SangakkaraKumar SangakkaraKumar Sangakkara is a Sri Lankan, Sinhalese cricketer and the former captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team. He is a left-handed top-order batsman...
and Sachin TendulkarSachin TendulkarSachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an Indian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He is the leading run-scorer and century maker in Test and one-day international cricket. He is the only male player to score a double century in the history of ODI cricket...
has scored more than 1000 runs. - Muttiah Muralitharan with 69 scalps has captured the most number of wickets at the Premadasa stadium.
- The highest individual score at R Premadasa stadium is 150 by Gautam GambhirGautam GambhirGautam Gambhir is an Indian cricketer, a batsman. He has been a member of the Indian national cricket team since 2003 and 2004...
against Sri Lanka in the 2008-2009 season. - R Premedasa stadium became the first in Sri Lanka and fourth in the world to reach 100 ODIs hosted stadium.
- Lsith Malinga has taken two ODI hat-tricks at this stadium.The first came against Kenya in the 2011 World Cup and the second versus Australia on 22nd August,2011
Twenty20 Internationals
- First match played on 10 February 2009 in involving Sri Lanka and India.
- Highest team total at the R Premadasa Stadium is 174/4 by India against Sri Lanka
World Cup Cricket
In 19961996 Cricket World Cup
The 1996 Cricket World Cup, also called the Wills World Cup after its official sponsors, was the sixth edition of the tournament organized by the International Cricket Council . It was the second World Cup to be hosted by Pakistan and India, and for the first time by Sri Lanka...
and 2011
2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
ICC cricket world cups R.Premadasa stadium hosted 9 matches including a quarter-final match and a semi-final match. It has hosted the highest number of cricket world cup matches in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
.
1996 Cricket World Cup
2011 Cricket World Cup
Group matchesQuarter-finals
Semi-finals
ICC Champions Trophy Cricket
The 2002 ICC Champions Trophy2002 ICC Champions Trophy
-Semifinals: -Finals: =*Ricky Ponting *Adam Gilchrist *Michael Bevan*Jason Gillespie*Nathan Hauritz*Matthew Hayden*Brett Lee*Darren Lehmann*Jimmy Maher...
was held in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. Nine matches played in R.Premadasa stadium including semi-finals and the final. Other matches played in SSC
Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
The Sinhalese Sports Club is one of the most famous cricket grounds in Sri Lanka. It is theheadquarters of Sri Lanka Cricket, the controlling body of cricket in Sri Lanka. The Ground often cited as the Lord's of Sri Lanka, hosting most domestic finals and one of preeminent international cricket...
.
2002 ICC Champions Trophy
Group matchesSemi-finals
Final
ICC World Twenty20
Sri LankaSri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
will host the 2012 ICC World Twenty20
2012 ICC World Twenty20
-Group B:---------Group C:---------Group D:---------Super 8s:The Super 8s stage consists of the top two teams from each group of the group stage. The teams are split into two groups, Groups 1 and 2. Group 1 will consist of the top seed from Groups A and C, and the second seed of groups B and D...
. Fifteen out of twenty seven matches are due to play in R. Premadasa stadium, including semi-finals and the final. Other matches will be played in Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
-ICC World Twenty20:Sri Lanka will host the 2012 ICC World Twenty20. Nine matches are due to play in Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Other matches will be played in R...
and Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium.
2012 ICC World Twenty20
Group matchesSuper 8s
Semi-finals
Final