Test cricket returns to the R Premadasa Stadium

The venue will host a Test after a gap of two years © Cricinfo Ltd Enlarge

Test cricket returns to the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the venue famous for holding the world record Test total of 952 for 6 by Sri Lanka, when it hosts the first Test of the three-match series against Bangladesh next month. The series, which also includes three ODIs, gets underway on June 25.

The stadium is currently the property of Sri Lanka Cricket who have signed a 33-year lease and acquired the premises. It has hosted only two Tests in ten years, the last one coincidentally against Bangladesh, in 2005.

The Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy was originally scheduled to host the first Test but poor ground conditions prompted a change in schedule, and it will now host the third Test starting July 11. The Saravanamuttu Stadium will host the second Test from July 3.

Bangladesh are due to arrive in Colombo on June 17 and wind off their tour on July 26.

Itinerary
June 17 - Arrival
June 20-22 - Warm-up match at Colts
June 25-29 - 1st Test, Colombo (R. Premadasa Stadium)
July 3-7 - 2nd Test, Colombo (Saravanamuttu Stadium)
July 11-15 - 3rd Test, Kandy
July 18 - One-day warm-up match, Colombo (NCC)
July 20 - 1st ODI, Colombo (Saravanamuttu Stadium)
July 22 - 2nd ODI, Colombo (R Premadasa Stadium)
July 24 - 3rd ODI, Colombo (R Premadasa Stadium)