R. Premadasa Stadium Explained

Ground Name:R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium
Nickname:Khettarama Stadium
Country:Sri Lanka
Location:Colombo
Coordinates:6.9397°N 79.872°W
Establishment:1986
Seating Capacity:38,000[1]
Operator:Sri Lanka Cricket
End1:Khettarama End
End2:Maligawatte End
International:true
Firsttestdate:28 August – 2 September
Firsttestyear:1992
Firsttesthome:Sri Lanka
Firsttestaway:Australia
Lasttestdate:14–18 July
Lasttestyear:2017
Lasttesthome:Sri Lanka
Lasttestaway:Zimbabwe
Firstodidate:5 April
Firstodiyear:1986
Firstodihome:Sri Lanka
Firstodiaway:New Zealand
Lastodidate:4 August
Lastodiyear:2024
Lastodihome:Sri Lanka
Lastodiaway:India
Firstt20idate:10 February
Firstt20iyear:2009
Firstt20ihome:Sri Lanka
Firstt20iaway:India
Lastt20idate:18 January
Lastt20iyear:2024
Lastt20ihome:Sri Lanka
Lastt20iaway:Zimbabwe
Firstwodidate:29 March
Firstwodiyear:1999
Firstwodihome:Sri Lanka
Firstwodiaway:Netherlands
Lastwodidate:17–18 November
Lastwodiyear:2016
Lastwodihome:Sri Lanka
Lastwodiaway:England
Firstwt20idate:4 October
Firstwt20iyear:2012
Firstwt20ihome:England
Firstwt20iaway:New Zealand
Lastwt20idate:26 May
Lastwt20iyear:2015
Lastwt20ihome:Sri Lanka
Lastwt20iaway:West Indies
Year1:1986–present
Club1:Sri Lanka national cricket team
Date:4 August
Year:2024
Source:Cricinfo
CricketArchive

The R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium (RPS) (Sinhala; Sinhalese: ආර්. ප්‍රේමදාස ක්‍රීඩාංගනය, Tamil: ஆர். பிரேமதாச அரங்கம்; formerly known as Khettarama Stadium) is a cricket stadium on Khettarama Road, in the Maligawatta suburb of 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 a capacity of 38,000 spectators. It has hosted the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 final between Sri Lanka and West Indies; the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy final between Sri Lanka and India and first semi-final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. This was where the highest Test score in history was recorded; 952 by Sri Lanka against India.[2] With capacity exceeding Lord's in England, the stadium is known as the "home of Sri Lankan cricket".

History

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 was 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 at the northern end of the ground.

Stadium plan

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 a 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 the 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 would host fifteen 2012 ICC World Twenty20 matches, including the semi-finals and the final.[6]

Asia Cup 2023

The Premdasa Stadium was chosen as one of the four venues to host the matches of the 2023 Asia Cup, which Sri Lanka were co-hosting along with Pakistan. The stadium hosted 5 out of the 6 Super Four matches, while also hosting the tournament final.

Ground figures

Key

Ground Figures
Format P H T N D/N/T Inaugural Match Latest Match
Test matches[7] 9 4 1 0 4 28 August 1992 14 July 2017
One-Day Internationals[8] 144 78 39 19 8 4 April 1986 14 September 2023
Twenty20 Internationals[9] 44 6 22 15 1 10 February 2009 8 June 2022

Test cricket

One Day Internationals

Twenty20 Internationals

World Cup Cricket

In 1996 and 2011 ICC cricket world cups R. Premadasa Stadium hosted nine 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.

1996 Cricket World Cup

See main article: 1996 Cricket World Cup.

----

2011 Cricket World Cup

See main article: 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Group matches
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals

ICC Champions Trophy Cricket

The 2002 ICC Champions Trophy was held in Sri Lanka. Nine matches were played in R. Premadasa Stadium including the semi-finals and the final. Other matches were played in SSC.

2002 ICC Champions Trophy

Group matches
Semi-finals
Final

ICC World Twenty20

Sri Lanka hosted the 2012 ICC World Twenty20. Fifteen out of twenty-seven matches were played at R. Premadasa Stadium, including the semi-finals and the final. Other matches were played in Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium.

2012 ICC World Twenty20

See main article: 2012 ICC World Twenty20.

Group matches
Super 8s
Semi-finals
Final

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: R.Premadasa Stadium . ESPN Cricinfo . ESPN . 29 December 2021.
  2. Web site: Full Scorecard of India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 1997 - Score Report ESPNcricinfo.com . 10 March 2022 . ESPNcricinfo .
  3. Web site: In pictures: R. Premadasa Stadium – February 04, 2011. Island Cricket. 5 February 2011.
  4. Web site: Premadasa Stadium still behind schedule – ICC. Cricinfo. 7 June 2010 . 11 December 2010.
  5. Web site: Sri Lanka board defends decision to play at R Premadasa Stadium. Daniel. Smith. 4 December 2010 . Bettor.com.
  6. Web site: England to start ICC World Twenty20 title defence against qualifier. 21 September 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111117163120/http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/events_and_awards/twenty20/newsdetails.php?newsId=17175_1316627340. 17 November 2011. dmy-all.
  7. Web site: Ground Records and Statistics – Statistical Overview – Test cricket. How Stat. 31 August 2017.
  8. Web site: Ground Records and Statistics – Statistical Overview – ODI. How Stat. 31 August 2017.
  9. Web site: Ground Records and Statistics – Statistical Overview – T20I. How Stat. 31 August 2017.
  10. Web site: 3rd Match (N), Nidahas Twenty20 Tri-Series at Colombo, Mar 10 2018 - Match Summary - ESPNCricinfo. ESPNcricinfo.
  11. Web site: 6th Match, Group A, ICC T20 World Cup 2012. ESPNcricinfo.