Galle Test set to be a poignant affair
In Colombo on Thursday, we attended the official launch of the Test series, which gets underway in Kandy next week.
One of the main talking points was whether the newly rebuilt Galle International Stadium was going to be ready in time to stage the third and final Test on 18 December.
And Sri Lanka Cricket's chief executive, the former Test player Duleep Mendis, was in no doubt.
"It will be ready, with all the modern facilities you would expect from a new international arena," he reassured the many journalists who attended the event.
We all hope that everything goes to plan because it promises to be a very special and poignant Test match in a month’s time.
It is well reported that the where Shane Warne became the first man to take 500 Test wickets.
Unsurprisingly, with more than 30,000 Sri Lankans killed and thousands more left homeless, the rebuilding of a cricket ground was left low on the government’s priority list.
So it is amazing that we are to play a Test match there so soon after those terrible events.
In fact at one stage it looked like Galle would never again stage international cricket.
Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga originally ordered that the Galle stadium should not be redeveloped because it was vulnerable to more tidal waves.
But her successor believed it was an important symbol for the country and should be returned to its former glory.
It is also traditionally a good location for the Sri Lanka team. Muttiah Muralitharan took his 400th Test wicket at Galle and Sri Lanka have lost only two of the 11 Tests played there.
Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene told me: "It will be very emotional, we have not played there for four years.
“When we start playing we will be thinking of the fans who won't be there, who would have been there if it wasn't for the disaster."
He went on: "It will be an emotional outing for many of our guys who come from that part of Sri Lanka. It will be a great occasion, but emotional as well."
The new indoor school at the stadium has been built thanks to the generosity of an Englishwoman, Harriet Crawley,
She donated £50,000, believing the local children affected by the tragedy would benefit from being able to play cricket.
It is fantastic that we will be able to return to Galle - four years ago I remember being amazed at how beautiful the view was from our commentary position.
a UNESCO World Heritage site, has to be one of the most dramatic landmarks at a cricket ground.
Famously, on the 2001 tour, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ were briefly banned from the ground because of a row over broadcasting rights, and Jonathan Agnew was forced to send his reports from the fort.
But whatever challenges we have faced are nothing compared to those endured by the people who have worked tirelessly to rebuild the Galle stadium.
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I too would be emotional when Sri lanka take on england at Galle. Aplace I know well. The venue is well known and loved by many Sri Lankan' When Sri Lanka takes the field it would re-kindle memories of 2004 and all those who lost their lives. It is good see cricket return after four years. Players, former players, supporters and fans no doubt will fond memories re-kindle.
C. Silva
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I maybe wrong, but I thought Courtney Walsh was the first man to get to 500 test wickets.....or was he ?
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As Adam Mountford has stated there was a move to abandon Galle and build a new stadium at a different location that would be safe from another tsunami though this was not a decision of the President of the country but of the then incumbent President of the Cricket Board.
Fortunately for all cricket lovers, despite the immense odds, it is nice to see Galle back on its feet and hosting a test match after four years.I remember listening to Jonathan Agnew and the TMS team from the Fort, banned entry due to some minor squabble, but who seemed no doubt to enjoy their confinement to a place with an absolutely splendid view.
I have been involved with post tsunami tourism recovery and look back at the tragedy with sadness but with gratitude for those who helped to give the people from Galle a little bit of hope, pride and pleasure in their little treasure.
I shall be tuned to TMS from Madrid for another special commentary and in communion with those lost fans for a Sri Lankan victory!
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Ah! Thank you Mr Mountford for un-confirming the possible relocation of the Third Test! Most appreciated.
Yes, it sounds like a very lovely venue, and it should be a cracker of a contest regardless of the result. Of course let us hope this is where England will bring their Test record back onto a winning path!
Carn you Ingerlanders!
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It is good see cricket return after four years. Players, former players, supporters and fans no doubt will fond memories re-kindle.
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I dont think my last comment was submitted correctly. In any case forgive me if i submitted multiple comments.
I spent many of my August holidays in Galle. My pater's brother lived in a very old colonial style home within the fort.
We would play cricket on the ramparts of the fort from noon to sunset everyday, ocassionaly diving off the fort into the Indian Ocean.
At any given time at least 30 simultaneous cricket matches take place with hoards of children bowling fielding batting, countless balls and bats crossing each other's paths.
Cricket is an important part of the people of Galle, it will be a very special day for them as well..
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Slightly off the topic but does anyone know if tickets are easy to get at Kandy? I will be there for the first two days of the test and cannot find tickets online
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Do you have a statistics listing BAD UMPIRING decisions at cricial milestone for batsman.
very frustrated about Kumar Sangakkar's unachieved mile stone. He should be given the benefit of the doubt and included in the...Great DOUBLE HUNDRED Misses in Australia
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Ticket availability according to Red Dot Tours is guaranteed on the day as the tests never sell out, search for red dot cricket tours and i have read it and am not booking in advance as i intend to be at Columbo and the first couple of days at Galle, travelling being possible by probably train. They guide you to the Sri Lankan Cricket Board site but the ticket section is not working.
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It will be great for the Sri Lankan Cricket team to step out on the Galle Cricket Ground on the 1st of December and to win in front of the crowd is a great and with the Tsunami demolishing the ground three years ago and playing on the ground four years ago must be a long time.
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On the question of Galle - my daughter confirms frantic work
in progress - painting was taking
place at 2315 the other evening.
looking forward to being there
in a couple of weeks
RP
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test
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I've just learned on the grapevine that the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has managed to 'lure' Bob "What you talkin' about" Willis away from his Sky commitments in order that he might host a revamped version of the popular game-show 'Blockbuster'. The new format, which is being shoehorned into 'Auntie's' spring schedule as I write, will be called "You'll have to do much better than THAT, young man, if you want to succeed at this level". Well done Aunty.
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I was in Galle in August and the ground still looled like a building site, it will be truely amazing if the ground is ready for the thrid test
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I was in Sri Lanka in October to watch the one day series.
Fantastic country, I can't wait to go back one day.
Whilst I was out there I went to Galle for a day trip and witnessed construction of the new ground.
To be honest, It still looked like there was a lot of work that needed to be done.
I hope they do get it done on time because it will be a great symbol of a country that is rebuilding itself after such a tragic disaster.
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I was in Galle on last thursday
and the ground still looked very much like a building site to me.
The pitch also looked patchy
i hope all goes well on the day for
the poor folk there, they deserve a bit of luck. (the people not the cricket team)
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Galle is a lovely ground and it will be great to see cricket back there. Lets hope there is a good game contested well between both sides (in the past England and Sri Lanka havent always got along) To anyone who is going there the Lighthouse hotel is a very nice place to stay
Enjoy everyone
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Some fifty years ago when Mr Rangit Fenando and MR duleep Mendis were school cricketers Colombo & Kandy schools only travel down to JAFFNA in the North to play and learn CRICKET.Past fourty years nothing is done to stop the speared fo fightings between the two factions. This is pure poverty to keep this profesional buisness to singalese thenself.Galle has already been built.Why not do somthing for North&East.Thank You.
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We are two English people who live close by Galle in Sri Lanka, we teach English to local children, free. We lived through the tsunami, we suffered and struggled along with our neighbors and friends. We cannot afford tickets to go and see the first match played at the Galle stadium, something we have looked forward to since the tsunami. Enjoy the match all of you.
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