Sinhalese Sports Club

The Sinhalese Sports Club ground, previously known as Maitland Place, was originally the headquarters of Sri Lankan cricket when it opened in 1952.

Capacity: 30,000

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The Sinhalese Sports Club ground, previously known as Maitland Place, was originally the headquarters of Sri Lankan cricket when it opened in 1952.

The ground belonged to the SSC and was used as an aerodrome by Allied forces during the Second World War.

The country was elevated to Test status in July 1981 and the SSC and therefore the club undertook the task of developing the ground by building the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka headquarters, the Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation and a 5,500 spectator stand in 1982.

The SSC recently expanded their infrastructure by building a large media centre at one end and an air-conditioned commentary box at the other.

The first one-day international was played on February 13, 1982 between Sri Lanka and England. Whereas the first Test match took place on March 16, 1984 between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The hosts recorded their first ODI win against a Test playing country during the Asia Cup 1986, when they defeated Pakistan by five wickets.