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De Soysa International Cricket Stadium (formerly known as Tyronne Fernando Stadium) is a multi-use stadium in Moratuwa, in southwestern Sri Lanka.[1] It is currently used mostly for cricket matches. The stadium holds 15,000 people and hosted its first Test match in 1992. The ground opened in 1940 and gained Test status in 1979. Moratuwa, located just eight miles (13 km) south of Colombo is renowned for its carpentry, cricket and its philanthropists. Indeed it was the most famous of these families that initiated the development of De Soysa Park Stadium, when they donated the 5 acre (20,000 sq m) plot of land to the Urban Council in 1940, to develop the Sports Complex. An additional 2 acres were sold under its market value by another member of the family. The ground was named De Soysa Park and subsequently used mainly for Moratuwa Sports Club (MSC) and school competitions.[2][3][4]
| Moratuwa Stadium, Tyronne Fernando Stadium | |||
| Ground information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Moratuwa, Western Province | ||
| Coordinates | 6.7948°N 79.8887°E | ||
| Establishment | 1952 | ||
| Capacity | 16,000 | ||
| Owner | Moratuwa Sports Club | ||
| Operator | Sri Lanka Cricket | ||
| End names | |||
| Press Box End Katubadda End | |||
| International information | |||
| First Test | 8–13 September 1992: Sri Lanka v  Australia | ||
| Last Test | 8–13 December 1993: Sri Lanka v  West Indies | ||
| First ODI | 31 March 1984: Sri Lanka v  New Zealand | ||
| Last ODI | 14 August 1993: Sri Lanka v  India | ||
| First WODI | 25 March 1999: Sri Lanka v  Netherlands | ||
| Last WODI | 30 January 2002: Sri Lanka v  Pakistan | ||
| Team information | |||
| |||
| As of 2 September 2020 Source: Cricinfo | |||
A. H. T. de Soysa
Albert Hildebrand Theodore de Soysa (14 March 1889 - 2 November 1959) was a Ceylonese entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was the second son of Solomon Peter de Soysa (1854-1906), the Managing Director of the business concerns of cousin Sir Charles Henry de Soysa and Dora Caroline Weerasooriya.[5] He attended Trinity College, Kandy and went on to become its greatest benefactor by financing several building projects including the college hall.[6][7]
In 1940, de Soysa initiated the development of the De Soysa Park as a venue for sports and recreation by gifting a 5 acre (20,000 sq m) plot of land and purchasing an additional 2 acres. It was intended for cricket, other sports and public use. It was again de Soysa that assisted the call for putting up the first stadium/pavilion in 1952.[2][3] His other benefactions include the Ingiriya Hospital , the Gamini Central College and the Christ Church, Ingiriya (Kalutara District).[8][9] He was a recipient of the Distinguished Auxiliary Service Medal of The Salvation Army.
Club Presidents and other benefactors
The club, its presidents D. H. L. De Silva, Dr. H. I. Fernando and local MP Wimalasiri De Mel took a keen interest in developing it further. In 1979 Moratuwa received public funds from the then Deputy Foreign Minister, Tyronne Fernando. A stadium was built, which could accommodate approximately 16,000 spectators.
International matches
The first international team to play at the ground was the West Indians in 1979.[10] The pitch has traditionally favoured the batsmen, but it can break up and the ball then has a tendency to keep low. The first Test match at the ground was against Australia on 8 September 1992.[10] Allan Border made 106 and Ian Healy 71 as the visitors scored 337 in the first innings and controlled the match thereafter. However half centuries from Aravinda De Silva and Hashan Tillakaratne ensured a draw for the home side.
The most memorable of the four Test matches - they were all drawn - at the ground was the third, against South Africa. On the last day Jonty Rhodes defied Muttiah Muralitharan to score 101* and keep the series alive. Bangladesh played their first ever ODI match here against Pakistan in the 1986 Asia Cup.
In recent times the venue is mostly used for the foreign teams to play their side games and for Sebastianites to play their home matches in the domestic season. In recent times the wicket has become rather low in bounce, is conducive to spin, but is generally favourable to the batsmen. It is also the venue for the Battle of the Golds, the annual big-match between Prince of Wales' College and St. Sebastian's College. The Battle of the Golds (Panadura and Moratuwa) between Moratu Maha Vidhyalaya and Sri Sumangala College Panadura and the Battle of Greens, between Royal College Panadura and St John's College Panadura are played at the venue.
Key
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| † | The bowler was man of the match |
| ‡ | 10 or more wickets taken in the match |
| § | One of two five-wicket hauls by the bowler in the match |
| Date | Day the Test started or ODI was held |
| Inn | Innings in which five-wicket haul was taken |
| Overs | Number of overs bowled. 8 indicates that eight balls were bowled in each over. |
| Runs | Number of runs conceded |
| Wkts | Number of wickets taken |
| Econ | Runs conceded per over |
| Batsmen | Batsmen whose wickets were taken |
| Result | Result of the match |
Tests
| No. | Bowler | Date | Team | Opposing team | Inn | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ | Batsmen | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Champaka Ramanayake | 8 September 1992 | Sri Lanka | Australia | 1 | 31 | 82 | 5 | 2.64 | Drawn[11] | |
| 2 | Allan Donald | 25 August 1993 |  South Africa | Sri Lanka | 1 | 28 | 69 | 5 | 2.46 | Drawn[12] | |
| 3 | Muttiah Muralitharan | 25 August 1993 | Sri Lanka | South Africa | 2 | 39 | 104 | 5 | 2.66 | Drawn[12] |
ODIs
| No. | Bowler | Date | Team | Opposing team | Inn | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ | Batsmen | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaul Karnain | 31 March 1984 | Sri Lanka | New Zealand | 2 | 8 | 26 | 5 | 3.25 | Sri Lanka won[13] | |
| 2 | Sanath Jayasuriya | 20 March 1993 | Sri Lanka |  England | 1 | 9.5 | 29 | 6 | 2.94 | Sri Lanka won[14] |
There has been five Test centuries scored at the venue.[15]
| No. | Score | Player | Team | Balls | Opposing team | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 153 | Roshan Mahanama | Sri Lanka | 297 | New Zealand | 27 November 1992 | Drawn |
| 2 | 131 | Arjuna Ranatunga | Sri Lanka | 140 | South Africa | 25 August 1993 | Drawn |
| 3 | 106 | Allan Border | Australia | 169 | Sri Lanka | 8 September 1992 | Drawn |
| 4 | 105 | Ken Rutherford | New Zealand | 107 | Sri Lanka | 27 November 1992 | Drawn |
| 5 | 101* | Jonty Rhodes | South Africa | 107 | Sri Lanka | 25 August 1993 | Drawn |
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