Tale of two Ovals

• 39th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s first Test win at P Sara Oval

What is so common about London’s Kennington Oval and Colombo’s P Sara Oval?

They have both been lucky venues for Sri Lanka.

It was at the Kennington Oval that Sri Lanka first won a Test match in England in 1998, and on Monday repeated that feat after 26 years by beating England by eight wickets.

The P Sara Oval was where Sri Lanka played their first-ever Test match after gaining Test status in 1982 against England and three years later in 1985 recorded their maiden Test win, beating India by 149 runs.

Yesterday marked the 39th anniversary of that win over India which was secured in only Sri Lanka’s 14th Test.

Opening bat and wicket-keeper Amal Silva shone for Sri Lanka with a century (111) in the first innings and nine dismissals, but there were other stars as well. Roy Dias made two stylish half-centuries (95 and 60) and there were fifties from the Captain Duleep Mendis, Ranjan Madugalle and Aravinda de Silva. But the key role was performed by fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake who ripped through India’s middle order after being set a target of 348 taking 5/49 including the last wicket of Indian captain Kapil Dev who was caught and bowled for a valiant 78. With four wickets in the first innings Ratnayake finished the match with nine wickets on a pitch where the Sri Lankan seamers took 19 wickets, the other ten being shared by Ashantha de Mel and Saliya Ahangama. India was all out for 198. The victory sparked jubilation across the country and the country’s President JR Jayewardene declared a public holiday to mark the occasion.

The tour was a hasty arrangement as a vote of thanks for Sri Lanka’s support for India’s bid to host the 1987 World Cup and Kapil Dev was later quoted saying that they were not mentally prepared for the ‘ordeal’ as there was civil unrest in the country and some doubts about the tour materialising.

 – (ST)