The Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, nestled in dense foliage is a very picturesque sight. Most of the venues hosting international cricket around the world are concrete jungles! Others have sky scrapers of different sizes and shapes on view, just beyond the playing area. This cricket ground blends in with nature and what a pleasant difference.

All the facilities are ample. Around 20,000 spectators can view the game at present. Should it be required there is the possibility of making that double by erecting stands. That too can be done with the view around not being hampered. It is a set-up that needs to be constantly monitored, maintained and upgraded.

Surfaces prepared for test cricket

Cricket though, has one special requirement. It needs a pitch that the players can go out and perform their skills. The character of the area, 66 feet x 10 feet, determines the manner in which the players can perform and the outcome of the game. Naturally, the surfaces prepared for test cricket and one day cricket are a whole lot different. One day cricket requires the freedom for batsmen to score runs. At the start of the game there can be some movement off the seam for seven to eight overs, but the over pitched and short deliveries must come on to the bat well enough to be put away. Similarly, the spinners getting turn, but manageable for the batsmen, is also acceptable, as the game goes on.

It is the one shortcoming, that must be rectified in Dambulla. On looking at it, nothing seems out of order. There are pitches which indicate, that all is not right. Pitches that are too grassy, too moist, too dry, tells you a story at first sight. Not so here, when looking at both pitches prior to the start of play.

Previous records can give some indication on what to expect. Up to the beginning of the first ODI against India the average score was 204 for an innings. That would have dropped with the team’s batting first scoring 146 and 143. Sri Lanka scored reasonably quickly during their chase and that would have evened the equation somewhat. What is required from a one day pitch is for a team to score in excess of 250 runs and their opponents chasing, gets the score or come very close. On the individual front only one century has been scored now in twenty six games. That by Rahul Dravid. Hardly worth mentioning the opponents – UAE!

Another victim of the Dambulla wicket

The first aspect to look at should be the preparation. The National Curator who overlooks preparation of International match pitches must have a diary or an account on how the preparation took place for these two games. The period of time, quantity of water used, time periods of rolling, days when mowed, types (weight) of rollers used, periods of covering, are the main functions in preparing a pitch.

These must be changed and adjusted and records kept for every domestic game played. The results must also be monitored and recorded. That will give an idea – not entirely accurate – on weather changes to soil, other material used and whether the grass needs change or replacement.

Nature of the grass

The nature of the grass in terms of its reaction with the top soil in use must be researched too. The Hybrid Couch used on both the centre strip and outfield is the same. The outfield does not matter but what is on the pitch does. On all other pitches in the island what exist is a common Couch grass which grows wild and a Kentucky Blue Grass introduced by the British, which initially were from the lawns of cool climates, of the tea estates.

It will also be worthwhile to reconstruct three or four of the pitches on the two ends of the square. Maybe even construct another two pitches on the two end for practice, with an adjusted construction formula. Keep in mind the entire ground was cut and tilled to bring it to a level. Therefore, it is like constructing a cricket square on established ground. Nobody can be certain of the manner in which such a pitch will play, both initially and with passing time. Now it is time to get it straightened. The Dambulla pitch needs immediate attention.

Having said all that, I must also mention, that there were batsmen on both sides who were guilty of throwing their wickets away playing poor strokes. They must work on the art of batting and the ground authorities must get down to resurrecting the pitches to be outstanding for international cricket.