Sri Lanka's inaugural Test

In 1982, Sri Lanka played their first Test, against England at the P Sara Oval. Sa'adi Thawfeeq, one of Sri Lanka' senior-most cricket journalists, recalls covering the historic game in the Nation. Don't miss the accompanying pics, including that of the commemorative 'I was there' caps, and of a young Percy Abeysekara, Sri Lanka's most famous fan.

It was an exciting occasion for everyone, the players, the administrators, the sponsors, the spectators and journalists from the foreign and especially the local media. The build up towards the Test was fantastic. To commemorate the occasion every spectator who entered the ground on the first day was handed a cloth cap from the sponsors of the Test, Hatton National Bank with the words, “First-ever Test Match – England v Sri Lanka” printed on the cap and “I was there” on the peak of the cap.