Test venues vs Australia (4 June 1999)

4 June 1999

Test venues vs Australia

Dinesh Weerawansa

The Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy, Galle International Stadium and SSC grounds in Colombo have been identified as venues for Sri Lanka's three-Test home series against Australia in September. The Test series will come after Sri Lanka hosts a triangular one day international series which also features India and Australia from August 22 to 31.

The first Test will be played at Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy from September 9 to 13, the second from September 22 to 26 at Galle International Stadium and the third from September 29 to October 3 at SSC grounds, Colombo. The Australians will also play two four-day side games against Sri Lanka 'A' or a Board X1 side from September 3 to 6 at De Zoysa Stadium, Moratuwa and from September 16 to 19 at CCC grounds, Maitland Crescent.

Prior to the three-Test series, Sri Lanka will host a triangular one day international tournament in late August with Australia and India being the other two teams taking part. The three teams will play each other twice before the top two teams advance to the final to be played at the Premadasa International Stadium. Sri Lanka play Australia in the opening match on August 22 at the Galle International Stadium which will also host the India-Australia game on the following day and Sri Lanka-India game two days later. The second round matches of the three-nation tournament will be played in Colombo with Australia playing Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium in a day/night game on August 26.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has already given its green light to a tour itinerary submitted by their Sri Lanka counterparts for a three-Test series and a triangular one day series. The Australian team is due to arrive in Colombo around August 20 and will first play in a three-nation tournament which also features India and the hosts Sri Lanka. On conclusion of the third Test in a six-week tour here, the Australian team will fly to Harare to play a one-off Test and three one day internationals against Zimbabwe in October.

Australia is one of the three teams which Sri Lanka has never beaten in Test cricket since gaining the full membership of the ICC in 1981. The other two countries which have not lost a single Test to Sri Lanka are South Africa and the West Indies. Sri Lanka has met Australia in ten Tests since the inaugural match between the two teams in 1983, and lost seven of them with three drawn games. Of the ten Test matches, four have been home matches. Overall, Sri Lanka has played in 90 Tests since the inaugural Test against England at Sara Stadium in 1982, and won 14 of them while losing 38 and another 38 drawn. However, Sri Lanka has not won a Test match for one year with their last win being against England by ten wickets at the Oval last summer.

Aug. 22: Sri Lanka v Australia at Galle International Stadium

Aug. 23: India v Australia at Galle International Stadium

Aug. 24: Sri Lanka v India at Galle International Stadium

Aug. 26: Sri Lanka v Australia at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (day/night)

Aug. 28: India v Australia at SSC grounds, Colombo

Aug. 29: Sri Lanka v India in Colombo

Aug. 31: Final at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Sep.3-6: First four-day game at De Zoysa Stadium, Moratuwa

Sep. 9-13: First Test at Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy

Sep. 16-19: Second four-day game at CCC grounds, Colombo

Sep. 22-26: Second Test at Galle International Stadium

Sep. 29-Oct.3: Third & final Test at SSC grounds, Colombo. (Subject to confirmation)

Source :: The Daily News