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Cricket stadium R. Premadasa Stadium is also known commonly as Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium; this ground is situated on Khettarama Road, Maligawatta, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Prior to June 1994 this was also known as the Khettarama Cricket Stadium and today without doubt one of the most recognized cricket grounds of Sri Lanka, many also call it "Home of Sri Lankan Cricket Team".Late Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa was figure behind the expansion of R. Premadasa Stadium, the biggest stadium in whole of Sri Lanka with the capacity of 35,000 spectators. World saw the new avatar of this stadium on February 2, 1986 when match between a Sri Lanka 'B' side and an England 'B' team was played here.
On April 5,1986 first ODI was played here between Sri Lanka and New Zealand and first test match was held here on August 28, 1992 between Sri Lanka and Australia. Few of the most unforgettable moment R Premadasa Stadium has witness are, world record for the highest Test total - 952/6 declared by Sri Lanka against India in 1997/1998, Sanath Jayasurya and Roshan Mahanama scored 340 and 225 runs respectively in this match. Same match saw highest partnership for any wicket in Test cricket with 576, which was for second wicket. Sony Max Cricket Academy made this ground his home, which stared to develop new generation of Sri Lankan Cricketers in 2003.
In the world cup of 1996, this very ground was suppose to host four world cup matches but unfortunately only two happened first on 17 February 1996, Sri Lanka v Australia and second on 26 February 1996 Sri Lanka v West Indies. Two other matches involving Australia and West India were called off due to safety concern raised by its cricket players.
In upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 R.Premadasa Stadium will host 7 matches including one quarter-final and one semi-final as per schedule issued by ICC, here are the details of all the matches to be played at this venue
- 10th Match, Group A - Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 26 February 2011
- 14th Match, Group A - Sri Lanka v Kenya, 1 March 2011
- 17th Match, Group A - Canada v Pakistan, 3 March 2011
- 20th Match, Group A - Sri Lanka v Australia, 5 March 2011
- 40th Match, Group A - Australia v Pakistan, 19 March 2011
- 4th Quarter Final, 26 March 2011
- 1st Semi Final, 29 March 2011
Useful Links:
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
Complete Schedule of ICC Cricket World Cup Warm-Up Matches
Complete Schedule of ICC Cricket World Cup Matches.
Complete List of All World Cup Venues.
Live Score of all matches during World Cup 2011.