Dambulla | Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Sri Lanka

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Location of Dambulla within Sri Lanka (Original Image: Uwe Dedering, Modified by Butjazz Mediaworks)

Stadium Location:

Dambulla is located in the North-Central Province of Sri Lanka. Approximate distance from the capital city of Colombo to Dambulla is 148 kms. It is closer to Kandy.

Dambulla is famous for its ancient Buddhist Temples which are now protected as a Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

Basic Facts:

• Established in the Year: 2000
• Home Team/s: Sri Lanka
• Name of the Ends: Scoreboard End, Pressbox End
• Stadium Capacity: 17,000 (approx)

The Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium: One of the Stands during an Off Day

In  a country where the rains have been known to be spoilsports on more than a few occasions, the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium was purpose built to avoid just this. Dambulla is located in a dry zone, and the ground was meant to be the place where One Day Internationals could be hosted at any time of the year.

No wonder then that all the matches of the Asia Cup 2010 which is being held in the middle of the monsoon season are being organised here in Dambulla. The grounds in Colombo which are generally the preferred cricket venues in Sri Lanka have been ignored given the time of the year.

The stadium was built on land leased by the Rangiri Dambulla Temple and overlooks the Rangiri Dambulla reservoir and the Dambulla Rock.

Pitch:

The Dambulla wicket has so far been known to assist the bowlers more than the batsmen. Captains winning the toss here generally prefer to bat first as they have found it difficult to chase targets here with batting under the floodlights considerably more difficult.

• 1st One Day International Match: Sri Lanka vs England | 23rd March 2001

(Information Sources: Wikipedia, Cricinfo, Hindustan Times, Hindu)