R. Premadasa Stadium

R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium
Khettarama Stadium
Ground information
Location Maligawatta, Colombo
Coordinates 6°56′22.8″N 79°52′19.3″E / 6.939667°N 79.872028°E / 6.939667; 79.872028Coordinates: 6°56′22.8″N 79°52′19.3″E / 6.939667°N 79.872028°E / 6.939667; 79.872028
Establishment 1986
Capacity 40,000[1]
Owner Sri Lanka Cricket
Operator Sri Lanka Cricket
Tenants Sri Lanka Cricket
End names
Khettarama End
Maligawatte End
International information
First Test 28 August – 2 September 1992:
 Sri Lanka v  Australia
Last Test 14–18 July 2017:
 Sri Lanka v  Zimbabwe
First ODI 5 April 1986:
 Sri Lanka v  New Zealand
Last ODI 12 August 2018:
 Sri Lanka v  South Africa
First T20I 10 February 2009:
 Sri Lanka v  India
Last T20I 14 August 2018:
 Sri Lanka v  South Africa
As of 14 August 2018
Source: ESPNcricinfo

R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPS) (Sinhalese: ආර්. ප්‍රේමදාස ක්‍රීඩාංගනය, Tamil: ஆர். பிரேமதாச அரங்கம்; also known as Khettarama Stadium, Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium or simply as the Premadasa Stadium) is a cricket stadium[2] on Khettarama Road, Maligawatta, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The stadium was, before June 1994, known as the Khettarama Cricket Stadium and is today one of the main venues where the Sri Lankan cricket team play, having hosted more than 100 one day international matches. It is the largest stadium in Sri Lanka with capacity of 35,000 spectators.It has hosted the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 finals between Sri Lanka and West Indies , 2002 ICC Champions Trophy finals between Sri Lanka and India and first semi final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup between Sri Lanka and New Zealand . Also this is the venue where the highest Test score in the history was recorded; 953 by Sri Lanka against India. It has capacity exceeding Lord's Cricket Ground. It is nicknamed "Home of Sri Lankan cricket".

History

Early history

The stadium is the brainchild of the late Sri Lankan president Ranasinghe Premadasa, who championed the development of this 40,000-seater concrete bowl, the biggest stadium in Sri Lanka. Opened on 2 February 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 it.

Ground history

The inaugural One Day International was played on 9 March 1986, Sri Lanka v Pakistan. On 28 August 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, at that time it was the highest for any wicket in a Test Match. On 10 February 2009 it hosted inaugural T20i match between Sri Lanka & India as well as 1st T20i to be played in Sri Lanka.

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 Cup. The stadium has been undergoing large-scale renovations since 2009. It has had its seating capacity increase from 14,000 to 40,000, the media-box accommodating 200 journalists, and other upgrades. The renovations have cost Sri Lanka Cricket $8 million.[3]

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.[4] 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 in 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.[5] 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 four public stands were refurbished along with the player dressing room area and the corporate boxes. A VIP car park is in the northern end of the ground.

Stadium plan

Current stands at R. Premadasa.

Pavilions A and B are fully equipped with seating in two tiers, lower and higher. Several corporate boxes are built in these two stands. Pavilions C and D are built between the scoreboard in the stadium with a two-tiered seating system. The lower tiers have concrete paving allocated for floor seating and the upper tier includes fully standard seating blocks. The grandstand and top level block above the player pavilions have enhanced quality seating. Pavilions A and B give a moderate view of the scoreboard while the grandstand not only gives good view of the scoreboard but also the game and pitch

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 Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga confirmed that first edition of 2011 Sri Lanka Premier League's matches would 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 the stadium will host fifteen 2012 ICC World Twenty20 matches, including semi-finals and the final.[6]

Ground figures

Key

  • P Matches Played
  • H Matches Won by Home Side
  • T Matches Won by Touring Side
  • N Matches Won by Neutral Side
  • D/N/T Matches Drawn/No Result/Tied
Ground Figures
FormatPHTND/N/TInaugural Match
Test matches[7]9410428 August 1992
One-Day Internationals[8]12767351784 April 1986
Twenty20 Internationals[9]3541515110 February 2009

Updated 14 August 2018

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