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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Tyronne Fernando Stadium
De Soysa International Cricket Stadium (formerly known as Tyronne Fernando Stadium) is a multi-use stadium in Moratuwa, in southwestern Sri Lanka. It is currently used mostly for cricket matches. The stadium holds 15,000 people and hosted its first Test match in 1992. The ground opened in 1940 and gained Test status in 1979. Moratuwa, located just eight miles (13 km) south of Colombo is renowned for its carpentry, cricket and its philanthropists. Indeed it was the most famous of these families that initiated the development of De Soysa Park Stadium, when they donated the 5 acre (20,000 sq m) plot of land to the Urban Council in 1940, to develop the Sports Complex. An additional 2 acres were sold under its market value by another member of the family. The ground was named De Soysa Park and subsequently used mainly for Moratuwa Sports Club (MSC) and school competitions.

History

A. H. T. de Soysa

Albert Hildebrand Theodore de Soysa (14 March 1889 - 2 November 1959) was a Ceylonese entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was the second son of Solomon Peter de Soysa (1854-1906), the Managing Director of the business concerns of cousin Sir Charles Henry de Soysa and Dora Caroline Weerasooriya. He attended Trinity College, Kandy and went on to become its greatest benefactor by financing several building projects including the college hall.

In 1940, de Soysa initiated the development of the De Soysa Park as a venue for sports and recreation by gifting a 5 acre (20,000 sq m) plot of land and purchasing an additional 2 acres. It was intended for cricket, other sports and public use. It was again de Soysa that assisted the call for putting up the first stadium/pavilion in 1952. His other benefactions include the Ingiriya Hospital [1], the Gamini Central College and the Christ Church, Ingiriya (Kalutara District). He was a recipient of the Distinguished Auxiliary Service Medal of The Salvation Army.

Club Presidents and other benefactors

The club, its presidents D. H. L. De Silva, Dr. H. I. Fernando and local MP Wimalasiri De Mel took a keen interest in developing it further. In 1979 Moratuwa received public funds from the then Deputy Foreign Minister, Tyronne Fernando. A stadium was built, which could accommodate approximately 16,000 spectators.

International matches

The first international team to play at the ground was the West Indians in 1979. The pitch has traditionally favoured the batsmen, but it can break up and the ball then has a tendency to keep low. The first Test match at the ground was against Australia on 8 September 1992. Allan Border made 106 and Ian Healy 71 as the visitors scored 337 in the first innings and controlled the match thereafter. However half centuries from Aravinda De Silva and Hashan Tillakaratne ensured a draw for the home side.

The most memorable of the four Test matches - they were all drawn - at the ground was the third, against South Africa. On the last day Jonty Rhodes defied Muttiah Muralitharan to score 101* and keep the series alive. Bangladesh played their first ever ODI match here against Pakistan in the 1986 Asia Cup.

In recent times the venue is mostly used for the foreign teams to play their side games and for Sebastianites to play their home matches in the domestic season. In recent times the wicket has become rather low in bounce, is conducive to spin, but is generally favourable to the batsmen. It is also the venue for the Battle of the Golds, the annual big-match between Prince of Wales' College and St. Sebastian's College. Now it also the venue for the Battle of Greens , the annual cricket encounter between Royal College Panadura and St John's College Panadura . Now also town is Panadura .

International five-wicket hauls

Key

Symbol Meaning
† The bowler was man of the match
‡ 10 or more wickets taken in the match
§ One of two five-wicket hauls by the bowler in the match
Date Day the Test started or ODI was held
Inn Innings in which five-wicket haul was taken
Overs Number of overs bowled. indicates that eight balls were bowled in each over.
Runs Number of runs conceded
Wkts Number of wickets taken
Econ Runs conceded per over
Batsmen Batsmen whose wickets were taken
Result Result of the match

Tests

Five-wicket hauls in Test matches at Tyronne Fernando Stadium
No. Bowler Date Team Opposing team Inn Overs Runs Wkts Econ Batsmen Result
1 Champaka Ramanayake 8 September 1992  Sri Lanka  Australia 1 31 82 5 2.64 Drawn
2 Allan Donald 25 August 1993  South Africa  Sri Lanka 1 28 69 5 2.46 Drawn
3 Muttiah Muralitharan 25 August 1993  Sri Lanka  South Africa 2 39 104 5 2.66 Drawn

ODIs

Five-wicket hauls in ODI matches at Tyronne Fernando Stadium
No. Bowler Date Team Opposing team Inn Overs Runs Wkts Econ Batsmen Result
1 Shaul Karnain 31 March 1984  Sri Lanka  New Zealand 2 8 26 5 3.25 Sri Lanka won
2 Sanath Jayasuriya 20 March 1993  Sri Lanka  England 1 9.5 29 6 2.94 Sri Lanka won

International Centuries

There has been five Test centuries scored at the venue.

No. Score Player Team Balls Opposing team Date Result
1 153 Roshan Mahanama  Sri Lanka 297  New Zealand 27 November 1992 Drawn
2 131 Arjuna Ranatunga  Sri Lanka 140  South Africa 25 August 1993 Drawn
3 106 Allan Border  Australia 169  Sri Lanka 8 September 1992 Drawn
4 105 Ken Rutherford  New Zealand 107  Sri Lanka 27 November 1992 Drawn
5 101* Jonty Rhodes  South Africa 107  Sri Lanka 25 August 1993 Drawn

See also