As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Cricket is underway, we are watching Sri Lanka play for qualification in Group 2. It’s time to reminisce about visiting another cricket ground – Galle in Sri Lanka. Here are some photos and highlights from the Sri Lanka vs. Australia First Test 2022.

Day 1

Group photo in our trip tops before setting off to the picturesque cricket ground at Galle. A couple of our group were late for the photo, but this is apparently not unusual for the Premium Sport Tours group!

On the short bus trip from the Radisson Blu to the ground, Ray Bright, our cricket host, gave information about the makeup of the team, insights and expectations. Amused by his nickname for Labuschagne, “Loose bus change”. Very humorous.

Outside the stadium was a ring of empty gas cylinders as a silent, peaceful protest. Apparently at 10:30am, there was a “blue and yellow dance” – blue for Sri Lanka and yellow for Australia.

Parking turned out to be excellent, right next to our entry gate. Walked in through the players and officials VIP entrance; sitting in the “VIP left ground-floor” section, near the sight screens at the end opposite the fort.

No particular security checks; a wristband for our Premium Sport Tours group, plus a wristband to enter the hospitality box. An excellent buffet. Watching test cricket, sitting down and eating and drinking all day – not that good for the diet!

Arrived to see scaffolding directly in front of our box, which was a bit disappointing. They were soon dismantling it – just there in preparation for the TV broadcast. Note the very safety conscious workers on the scaffolding – thongs (flip-flops)!!

A touching pre-game tribute to Shane Warne – speech and a plaque presentation, in acknowledgement of Warne’s financial contributions in the rebuilding of the ground after the 2004 tsunami.  This test, and the next, a two-test series for the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy.

Merv Hughes’ AST group also sharing the same large hospitality box. A few familiar faces we’ve seen and met before.

Random observations:
The Sri Lankan national anthem is really long. TV in the room slightly delayed, so we were all still singing the Australian national anthem after they’d actually finished.
Sri Lankan cricket whites are really white; Aussie are more of a cream.
Armed guards just outside our box.
Outside it is quite noisy with music and crowd noise. There is more atmosphere outside the box among the crowd, but we have air conditioning inside!
Very large sight screens, billowing in the wind. I think they’d be distracting.

Some spectators already watching from their perch up high on the walls of Galle Fort – this is outside the ground, but with an excellent view overlooking into the ground.

Took scoresheets and scored every ball, drawing admiration from several our group, and just the usual expectation from others who know me!

Last session extended half an hour due to poor run rate. End of the day’s play Sri Lanka 10/212, Australia 3/98; enjoyed watching 13 wickets fall on day one.

Read about Day 2 here; and Day 3 here.