The Stadium has the unique distinction of being the only Test class cricket stadium in the world to be maintained by School, Trinity College Kandy an elite school in Sri Lanka, founded in the 19th century in the British Public School tradition.
 Surrounded by mountains in the ancient hill capital of Kandy, Asgiriya is considered to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. Ranjan Madugalle (Chief Match Referee ICC), Ravi Ratnayake, Kumar Sangakkara, Kausalya Weeraratne, Sachith Pathirana, Rushan Jaleel all whom represented Sri Lanka at cricket at various levels, are but a few who honed their budding cricketing talents at Asgiriya whilst schoolboys at Trinity College.
Many International cricketers who come on tours and play at Asgiriya Stadium had lot of praise for the Ground as well as the scenery around it. In early 1980’s when the touring Pakistan side under the All rounder Imran Khan who bowled out the home team twice and the game was over within three days after the first two days being washed out.
Imran at that time said, “This ground is most probably the best in Asia with superb scenery around. He concluded by saying I haven’t seen any in Asia to this class. Then the present Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting said this. “This was an excellent wicket. I expected it to deteriorate a lot more than it did. It looked a bit dusty over all it is far above most in Asia.
Only a few realize the history of the small cricket Ground of Trinity College Kandy was transformed in to an International Stadium within a short period of time. It was Late Minister Gamini Dissanayake’s idea to uplift this ground to an international cricket stadium.
In 1981 the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave Sri Lanka the test status and gave 1 year to build 2 test venues one in Kandy and the other in Galle. Lot of hard work also was put in by former All Ceylon Cricketer and cricket administrator Abu Fuard who spent number of days in Kandy in order to get this ground in good shape to host foreign teams for Test matches.
The very first test match was played against the visiting Australians in April 1983. Last Test was played in 2007 against England. The stoppage for one days runs in to 9 long years with the last one between West Indies and Zimbabwe.
Very sadly the ground is neglected for a time and no one pays much attention to it. With the other International Stadium at Pallekelle in the name of greatest off spinner ever the World has produced Muthiah Muralitharan. Also with the cost of labour and all other expenses it will be very difficult for a school to maintain same unless the Sri Lanka Cricket help for the survival of this beautiful ground which will produce many more future national cricketers in the future. |
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