Aug. 1: The laidback P. Sara Oval, home to the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club, is firmly trenched in the history of Sri Lankan cricket. The island nation’s inaugural Test match was played here in 1982 and a huge portrait of Keith Fletcher and Bandula Warnapura walking out to toss dominates the lounge bar.
When India last played here in 2008, captains Mahela Jayawardene and Anil Kumble addressed the press seated on bar stools. The club itself and its ground are a far cry from the blocks of concrete that make for modern stadiums.
The Oval has hosted 14 Tests (including a neutral Test between Pakistan and Australia), 12 ODIs and a solitary T20. Sri Lanka registered their first Test win here when they beat India in 1985 in a match marred by poor umpiring. The ground suffered during the ethnic conflict and a good portion of the 1899 founded club was burnt down. It took the authorities nearly three years to get the venue back to some sort of shape. The main square is easily the most sporting in the country. After the SSC, this should be a welcome relief for the bowlers. The Oval also hosted an Australian Invitation XI led by Sir Donald Bradman and an All Ceylon XI led by Sri Lanka’s biggest icon, Michael Sathasivam in 1948.
Apart from playing host to some quality Test cricket over the years, the Oval is credited with being the only first class venue to have a woman as chief curator. Arul Mary was in charge of the ground in the late 60s and early 70s.
The Tamil Union deserves a pat for upholding the glorious customs of the game and also in no small measure for developing the highest wicket taker in the world — Muttiah Muralitharan.