When Sri Lanka Became the 8th Test Nation
On this day in 1982, Sri Lanka played their inaugural Test match as the 8th country to receive the Full ICC Membership, against England at the P. Sara Oval Stadium.
Today marks a very historic day for Sri Lanka Cricket when played their first Test match in 1982, led by Bandula Warnapura against a Keith Fletcher led England side, marking the victory of a long fight for ICC Full Membership.
This historic moment was graced by the President of Sri Lanka J. R. Jayawardene in the traditional opening ceremony with other dignitaries at the P. Sara Oval Stadium. The Sri Lankan skipper won the toss and elected to bat. The umpires were Herbi Felsinger and K. T. Francis. It should also be noted that this was telecasted live and the commentator was Palitha Perera.
Bandula Warnapura walked in with pride, tapped his bat and left alone the very first Test match delivery Sri Lanka faced. He didn't last long as he became the first Test batter of Sri Lanka to be dismissed. Willis dismissed Bandula, followed by Roy Dias, Sidath Wettimuny and Duleep Mendis.
Then came in Ranjan Madugalle, the centenary year Royal-Thomian captain of Royal College not too many years ago and the young Anandian schoolboy prodigy Arjuna Ranatunga who batted Sri Lanka throughout. The young Anandian Arjuna eventually scored Sri Lanka's First Test Fifty against a vicious England pace bowling attack (see full scorecard).
Soon after, Ranjan Madugalle followed with Sri Lanka's second Test Fifty and top scored with 65. Sri Lanka made 218 runs for the 1st Innings. In the bowling, Sri Lanka's 1st Test Cap Ashantha De Mel picked the first wicket of Geoff Cook.
England also had a top order collapse as De Mel ran riot but came to a steady Innings with David Gower and Captain Fletcher, scoring 89 and 45 respectively. In the end, England finished with a lead of just 5 runs. Even though Roy Dias scored 77, Sri Lanka only managed 175 in the 2nd Innings. England chased the target with 7 wickets to spare.
Sri Lanka may have lost the match but have achieved much more as a full member of ICC, thanks to the initiatives of the President of SLC, the late Gamini Dissanayake, who should be also remembered on this day.
Sri Lanka Skipper with the Presidents of BCCSL and Sri Lanka