Michael Tissera appeals for Test cricket to return to P. Sara Oval

Former All Ceylon cricket captain Mr. Michael Tissera was the Chief Guest at Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club’s 125th jubilee celebrations in Colombo on Friday. Mr. Tissera’s during his key note address recalled his experiences of playing cricket at P. Sara Oval in the pre-Test era when he skippered Ceylon for some famous wins. During his address, he hoped that Test cricket returns to P. Sara Oval soon. Country’s first Test venue has not hosted a Test match since 2019. Here are the excerpts of Mr. Tissera’s speech.

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Mr. Ramesh Schaffter, President Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic club, Members of the Committee, Distinguished members and Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening,

Thank you Ramesh, for the honour and privilege bestowed upon me. I am deeply humbled and to say my knees are not knocking would be an understatement.

The Oval has always been not only my favourite ground but lucky one as well, but more of that later. The ground has been world class in at least two aspects. One, the magnificent scoreboard which gave more information than many Test grounds around the world and second the extremely remarkable aspect of two dedicated ladies preparing the Pitch, that was so well nurtured that one only saw a sheet of lush green grass and no clay at all in the middle.

The beautifully manicured outfield had a wonderful slope from the centre to the boundary that made stroke play a joy once the infield was penetrated.

At this time it is appropriate to appreciate the late P, Saravanamuttu whose vision for sport in general and cricket in particular for the nation, gave rise to the Colombo Oval. Thanks to that vision, the ground served as the Cricket Board's venue for international cricket for four decades thereafter.

It therefore came as no surprise when the inaugural Test match versus England, was played at The Oval in February 1982.

One must not forget the facilities this venue provided for inter schools big matches throughout this period, in addition to Public Schools Athletic meets, and National Hockey Tournaments as well