Tyronne Fernando Stadium        

Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

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Moratuwa, located just eight miles south from the city of Colombo, has produced a large number of cricketers for both Ceylon and Sri Lanka. The town is renowned for its fishing and for it's philanthropists: the de Soysa family. Indeed it was this famous family that initiated the development of De Soysa Park Stadium, when they donated the four-acre plot of land to the Urban Council in 1941, to develop whatever Sports Complex they needed. The Ground was named the "De Soysa " Park and subsequently used mainly for school competitions. Later, Moratuwa received more support from the then Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr.Tyronne Fernando, in the year 1978 to 1979. A stadium was built, which could accommodate approximately 10,000 spectators. The first ever-visiting team to play was the West Indians in 1979.

The ground has traditionally favoured the batsmen. However, the pitch can break up and the ball then has a tendency to keep low. The first ever Test Match to be played at this venue was against Australia on the 8th of September 1992. Allan Border made 106 and Ian Healy 71as the visitors scored 337 in the first innings and controlled the match thereafter. However half centuries from Aravinda De Silva and Hasan Tillerkeratne ensured a draw for the home side.

The most memorable of the four test matches - they were all drawn - to have been played here was the third, against South African. On the last day Jonty Rhodes defied Muralitharan to score 101*and keep the series alive.

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.

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Aug 16, 2001

Portrait of De Zoysa Stadium Moratuwa, 2001
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