Sri Lanka played their inaugural Test match at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo, on 17 February 1982 — captain Bandula Warnapura's side fell to England by 7 wickets, but the match marked Sri Lanka's arrival as the eighth Test nation.
Sri Lanka had played first-class cricket since the 19th century and had been campaigning for Test status for decades.
Sri Lanka had been granted ICC Full Member status in July 1981 and, six months later, hosted England under Keith Fletcher for the inaugural Test. Bandula Warnapura won the toss and elected to bat. Sri Lanka were dismissed for 218 with Ashantha de Mel and Somachandra de Silva contributing useful lower-order runs. England replied with 223. In their second innings Sri Lanka collapsed for 175 — losing eight wickets for the addition of just 32 runs late on day three after being 142 for 2 at one stage. England chased 171 for the loss of three wickets to win by 7 wickets. Despite the loss, Sri Lanka's batting order featured a 17-year-old Arjuna Ranatunga (who would go on to lift the 1996 World Cup as captain), Duleep Mendis, Roy Dias and Sidath Wettimuny — the spine of Sri Lankan batting for the next decade. The Test gave Sri Lanka the platform to begin building a competitive Test side, even if full competitiveness took another decade and a half.
Bandula Warnapura wins toss and bats
Sri Lanka 218 in first innings
England 223 in reply
Sri Lanka collapse from 142/2 to 175 all out
England chase 171 for 3 to win
1981 (July)
Sri Lanka granted ICC Full Member status
Feb 17 1982
Inaugural Test begins at PSS Colombo
Day 4
England chase 171 to win by 7 wickets
Series
Sri Lanka begin Test journey
“We had been waiting for this match for a hundred years.”
“Sri Lanka are now in the Test family. They will grow.”
A historic but losing debut that nevertheless launched Sri Lanka into the Test cricket fraternity.
The match is considered the foundational moment of modern Sri Lankan cricket; the line from Warnapura's XI runs through Aravinda de Silva to the 1996 World Cup-winning team.
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1932-06-16
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1933-02-14
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