Quick answer
Record-breaking matches at Sri Lankan grounds include Sri Lanka's 952 for 6 against India at the Premadasa in 1997, the highest Test total; Jayawardene and Sangakkara's 624 stand at the SSC in 2006, the highest Test partnership; Chaminda Vaas's 8 for 19 against Zimbabwe at the SSC in 2001, the best one-day figures; Muralitharan's 800th Test wicket at Galle in 2010; and Malinga's four wickets in four balls at Pallekele in 2019.
Key takeaways
- The Premadasa: 952 for 6 against India in 1997, the highest Test total.
- The SSC: the 624 stand in 2006 and Vaas's 8 for 19 in 2001.
- Galle: Warne's 500th wicket in 2004 and Murali's 800th in 2010.
- Pallekele: Malinga's four wickets in four balls in a 2019 Twenty20.
- The P Sara Oval: Sri Lanka's first Test in 1982.
The Premadasa: 952 for 6
In August 1997, India made 537 for 8 at the R Premadasa Stadium, and Sri Lanka replied with 952 for 6, the highest total in Test history. Sanath Jayasuriya made 340 and Roshan Mahanama 225, and their partnership of 576 was then a Test record for any wicket.
The match was drawn, but the total still stands more than a quarter of a century later. It sums up the slow, flat pitches of that era, when batting could go on for days.
The Premadasa also hosted the 2012 World Twenty20 final, when West Indies beat Sri Lanka, and many other big white-ball nights.
- →952 for 6: the highest Test total, 1997.
- →Jayasuriya 340, Mahanama 225.
- →2012 World Twenty20 final.
The SSC: 624 and 8 for 19
In July 2006, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara added 624 for the third wicket against South Africa at the SSC, the highest partnership in Test and first-class cricket. Jayawardene made 374, the highest Test score by a Sri Lankan.
Five years earlier, in December 2001, Chaminda Vaas took 8 for 19 against Zimbabwe at the SSC, still the best bowling figures in one-day internationals.
Two of the game's great records at one compact club ground make the SSC a place of pilgrimage for statisticians.
- →624: the highest Test partnership, 2006.
- →374: Jayawardene's innings in the same match.
- →8 for 19: Vaas, 2001, the best ODI figures.
Galle: 500 and 800
Shane Warne took his 500th Test wicket at Galle in March 2004, on his return from suspension, as Australia won the match and the series. Six years later, in July 2010, Muttiah Muralitharan took his 800th and final Test wicket at Galle, with his last ball in Test cricket.
In 2016, Rangana Herath took a hat-trick against Australia at Galle, part of Sri Lanka's 3-0 series win.
Galle's records are about bowlers, especially spinners, which fits the character of the ground.
Pallekele: four in four
In September 2019, Lasith Malinga took four wickets in four balls against New Zealand in a Twenty20 international at Pallekele, the second time he had achieved the feat in international cricket, after the 2007 World Cup.
Pallekele has also seen big Test results, including Sri Lanka's win over Australia in 2016, the first match of a 3-0 series.
Lankan Stays & Trails can build a cricket-history itinerary linking these grounds, with a guide who knows the stories.
- →Malinga: four in four, 2019.
- →Sri Lanka beat Australia: 2016.
- →A young ground with growing history.
The P Sara Oval: firsts
The P Sara Oval holds Sri Lanka's first Test, against England in February 1982, a record of a different kind. It also saw Bangladesh's win in its 100th Test in 2017.
These are milestones rather than statistical records, but for the history of the game in South Asia, they matter as much as the big numbers.
The Oval is the best starting point for a records tour of Colombo, before the SSC and the Premadasa.
- →First Test: 1982.
- →Bangladesh's 100th Test win: 2017.
- →Start a Colombo records tour here.
A records tour
A cricket-history tour of Sri Lankan grounds might start at the P Sara Oval and the SSC in Colombo, continue to the Premadasa, drive south to Galle and end at Pallekele near Kandy. All can be seen in four or five days with a driver.
Without a match, most grounds can be seen from outside, and Galle from the ramparts. Entry inside is at the discretion of staff.
A guide or a cricket-minded driver can tell the stories at each ground, which makes the visit far richer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest Test total and where was it made?
The highest Test total is Sri Lanka's 952 for 6 against India at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in August 1997. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 340 and Roshan Mahanama 225. The match was drawn after India's first-innings 537 for 8.
Where was the highest Test partnership made?
Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara added 624 for the third wicket against South Africa at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo in July 2006, the highest partnership in Test and first-class cricket. Jayawardene went on to make 374.
What are the best bowling figures in one-day internationals?
Chaminda Vaas took 8 for 19 against Zimbabwe at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo in December 2001, still the best bowling figures in one-day internationals. The left-arm seamer was one of Sri Lanka's greatest bowlers.
Where did Muralitharan take his 800th wicket?
Muttiah Muralitharan took his 800th Test wicket at Galle International Stadium in July 2010, with his last ball in Test cricket, against India. He had announced the match would be his last and needed eight wickets to reach the milestone. Sri Lanka won the Test.
Where did Malinga take four wickets in four balls?
Lasith Malinga took four wickets in four balls against New Zealand in a Twenty20 international at Pallekele in September 2019. He had done it once before, at the 2007 World Cup, making him the only bowler to achieve the feat twice in international cricket.
Can I visit the grounds where records were made?
Yes. The Premadasa, the SSC, Galle and Pallekele can all be seen from outside on most days, and Galle from the fort ramparts at any time. Entry inside is at the discretion of staff on non-match days. A guide can tell the stories at each ground.
Which ground has the most records?
The SSC can claim two of the game's best-known records: the 624 Test partnership in 2006 and Vaas's 8 for 19, the best one-day figures, in 2001. The Premadasa holds the highest Test total, and Galle the great bowling milestones of Warne and Muralitharan.