Galle Cricket Grounds as Best in This Our World

Michael Roberts

It appears that the Test cricket grounds at Galle has been voted to be the BEST of the Test-featuring grounds in the world. THAT is quite a mark—considering the picturesque setting of some other grounds. Since this was the municipal arena where St. Aloysius College pursued all its sports activities every evening in the 1940s and 50s; and an arena which featured hockey and soccer matches besides cricket …. and even the occasional hackery or elephant race on special occasions, these heights are quite a TRANSFORMATION.

SO, let me spice and flavour this moment with a pictorial history: when it was not a sports arena; …. when its pavilion was as confined as unremarkable; … when Nihal Fernando, cameraman extraordinary snapped a cricket match in the 1980s; … and thence to the tumultuous present day scenarios – with a horrifying pause after the tsunami shattered the grounds and neighbouring bus-stand.

 the arena in front of the Fort before  the clocktower was built  — a rare photo at the National Gallery in Canberra

…. spot the pavilion in the background: pix by Lincoln Perera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cricket match circa 1980s ……. snapped by Nihal Fernando .

 

 

 

…. and, THUS, to the twenty-first century

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…… including its catastrophes                                     

 

 

 

 

 

  But we have moved on from 2004 …..