Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium better known as Dambulla Cricket Stadium has a capacity of 16,800 and was established in the year 2000. It is the newest international cricket venue in Sri Lanka, constructed in just 167 days.
The Stadium is situated in the Central Province, close to Dambulla on a 60 acre site leased from the Rangiri Dambulla Temple. The stadium is built over looking the Dambulla Tank (reservoir) and the Dambulla Rock. The inaugural One Day International (ODI) match was played between Sri Lanka and England in March 2000. Dambulla got floodlights in 2003.
Situated in the dry zone, the original rationale behind the project was that it provided Sri Lanka with the potential to host one-day matches throughout the year as rain used to play a spoil sport and therefore matches could only be scheduled at time when the possibility of rain was the least.
About Dambulla:
Home to the famous Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Iron Wood Forest, and the Rose Quartz Mountain Range, Dambulla provides historical adventures and breathtaking sights in a region UNESCO has designated the Cultural Triangle.
The city of Dambulla lies approximately 148 kilometers (roughly 91 miles) to the Northeast of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.
At the top of the list of things to do in Dambulla is the Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. Comprised of 5 caves and a picturesque facade carved into the side of a steep rock face, the Dambulla Cave Temple houses ancient statues and paintings depicting the Buddha and his life.
The Dambulla Cricket Stadium, amidst all the natural beauty, posses a pitch which is bowler friendly - for the seamers, in the morning because of the high water table and heavy sweating under the covers during the nights. Although, in the afternoon the spinners can get some purchase out of the pitch as it dries out under the sun. Dew can also play a deciding factor in the day-night and the white ball does swing initially under lights.
