Quick answer
Uyanwatte Stadium is the main cricket ground in Matara, on the south coast about 15 to 20 minutes east of Mirissa and roughly an hour from Galle. It hosts domestic and school cricket rather than internationals. Matara's schools have a strong cricket tradition, and big school matches draw lively crowds. The town's Dutch Star Fort, Dondra Head lighthouse and Polhena beach make it easy to combine with sightseeing.
Key takeaways
- Uyanwatte is Matara's main cricket ground.
- It hosts domestic and school cricket rather than internationals.
- Matara is about 15 to 20 minutes from Mirissa and an hour from Galle.
- The town's schools have a strong cricket tradition.
- Combine it with the Star Fort, Dondra Head and Polhena beach.
Matara and its cricket
Matara is the largest town on the south coast east of Galle, a lively place with a market, a river, a Dutch fort and a busy bus station. Its schools and clubs have a strong cricket tradition, and the town has produced players who went on to represent Sri Lanka.
Sanath Jayasuriya, the great opening batsman of the 1996 World Cup team, comes from Matara, and the town is proud of the connection.
For visitors staying in Mirissa, Weligama or Polhena, Matara is a short drive away and gives a glimpse of everyday southern life.
- →Largest south-coast town east of Galle.
- →Hometown of Sanath Jayasuriya.
- →Strong school and club cricket.
The ground
Uyanwatte Stadium is a local sports ground with a pavilion and stands around the field. It is used for domestic first-class and limited-overs cricket, school matches and provincial tournaments.
Facilities are simpler than at the international grounds, but the atmosphere at big school matches can be lively, with bands, flags and crowds of students and old boys.
Current use varies from season to season, so check locally or with Sri Lanka Cricket's domestic schedule before planning a visit around a match.
- →Domestic and school cricket.
- →Lively crowds at big school matches.
- →Check current fixtures locally.
Watching a match
Domestic and school matches at Uyanwatte are usually free or very cheap to attend. Spectators are welcome, and local fans are often happy to explain who is playing.
The south coast is hot and humid, so bring a hat, sunscreen and water. Shade is limited in parts of the ground.
It is polite to ask before photographing students, and to follow any instructions from officials.
Big school matches in Matara are colourful occasions, with old boys in school colours, papare bands and stalls selling snacks around the ground. Ordinary domestic games are much quieter, with a few hundred spectators at most, which makes it easy to find a seat and watch the cricket closely.
Matches usually start in the morning, so a visit fits well before an afternoon on the beach at Polhena or Mirissa.
Combining with Matara's sights
Matara's Star Fort, a small, star-shaped Dutch fort built in the eighteenth century, is one of the town's landmarks, and the larger Matara Fort by the river holds old buildings and streets. Dondra Head lighthouse, a few kilometres east, marks the southernmost point of the island.
Polhena beach, just west of the town, has a reef-protected lagoon good for gentle swimming and snorkelling, and Mirissa and Weligama are a short drive further west.
Lankan Stays & Trails can build a south-coast stay that includes a match at Uyanwatte, with beach days and whale watching from Mirissa in season.
- →Star Fort: a small Dutch fort.
- →Dondra Head: the southernmost point.
- →Polhena: a reef-protected beach.
On a south-coast cricket route
Matara sits between Galle and Hambantota, so it fits naturally on a route linking the south's cricket grounds. From Galle, the drive takes about an hour on the coast road or the expressway, and from Matara to the Hambantota stadium about an hour and a half.
A day that combines Galle's stadium in the morning, a stop at Uyanwatte and an evening in Mirissa is easy with a driver.
The companion page on the south-coast cricket grounds route covers the whole drive.
- →From Galle: about an hour.
- →To Hambantota stadium: about an hour and a half.
- →Overnight: Mirissa, Polhena or Tangalle.
Why visit
Uyanwatte is a local ground, not a major sight, but it shows how cricket is woven into life in the south. For cricket lovers on a beach holiday, a match here is a rewarding change from the sand.
For groundhoppers, it is one of the regional grounds that round out a list.
For others, Matara's forts, lighthouse and market make the trip worthwhile even without cricket.
Frequently asked questions
Is Uyanwatte Stadium an international ground?
Uyanwatte Stadium is used mainly for domestic first-class and limited-overs cricket, school matches and provincial tournaments rather than current internationals. For international cricket in the south, the nearest grounds are Galle, about an hour west, and the Hambantota stadium, about an hour and a half east.
Where is Uyanwatte Stadium?
Uyanwatte Stadium is in Matara, the largest town on the south coast east of Galle. It is about 15 to 20 minutes by road from Mirissa and roughly an hour from Galle. Tuk-tuks from Mirissa, Weligama and Polhena can take you there.
Is Sanath Jayasuriya from Matara?
Yes. Sanath Jayasuriya, the explosive opening batsman of Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup-winning team and later captain, comes from Matara, and the town is proud of the connection. He made 340 against India at the Premadasa in 1997, part of the record 952 for 6.
Can I watch a school cricket match in Matara?
School matches in Matara are usually free or very cheap to attend, and big matches draw lively crowds with bands and flags. The school cricket season runs roughly from the start of the year to March. Ask before photographing students.
What else is there to see in Matara?
Matara has a small, star-shaped Dutch fort, a larger fort by the river, a lively market and, a few kilometres east, Dondra Head lighthouse at the island's southernmost point. Polhena beach, just west of the town, has a reef-protected lagoon.
Is Matara worth visiting from Mirissa?
Yes, for a half-day trip. Matara is only 15 to 20 minutes away and gives a glimpse of everyday southern life, with forts, a market and Dondra Head lighthouse. Add a match at Uyanwatte if one is on, and finish at Polhena beach.
How far is Matara from Galle?
Matara is roughly an hour from Galle by the coast road or the Southern Expressway, depending on traffic. Trains also run along the coastal line between Galle and Matara, a scenic journey past Unawatuna, Weligama and Mirissa.