Radella Cricket Stadium is a stadium with a wonderful location. The location of Radella is more valuable than Colombo SSC or R Premadasa or Hambantota Mahinda Rajapakse or Dambulla but also Kandy Asgiri. Radella is located about 4000 feet i.e. 1200 meters above sea level. Accordingly, among the stadiums located higher than sea level, Radella is at the forefront of the world. Not only that, this area is considered one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world.
Thus, the Radella Stadium, which was important in many ways, had been left unused for many years. But the sports authorities of this country felt the value of this ground the most during the last Twenty20 World Cup. At that time the tournament was held in Australia. At that time, the temperature in Australia was very low. Our players are not used to that cold. Five or six players suffered injuries showing the loss of that unfamiliarity more severely. Among them, fast bowlers took the lead. The cricket authorities had to put aside the goal of victory and think about how to get the players back on track.
It is after that that there is talk about the Radella Stadium, which is 4000 feet above and has not been highlighted for many years.
Apart from temperature and climate, the other factors of Radella Cricket Stadium are very similar to stadiums in colder countries. Sir Richard Hadley was the first to say that. Sir Richard Hadley, who claimed a unique name in New Zealand cricket’s fastball power, had this idea about this Stadium.
“This stadium is very favourable for bowlers who swing the ball. Located at a high altitude. And the sky often feels heavy with clouds. This stadium is rich in features expected by fast bowlers.”
Sir Richard Hadley had gone to Radella for a cricket match. It was in 1984. The two-day practice cricket match between the Sri Lanka Cricket President’s team and the touring New Zealand team was held at Radella Stadium that day. Unfortunately, the sky around this ground, which was heavy with clouds, was light on the ground that day and the match could be held for a period of three to four hours. Richard Hadley also took a few wickets with his fastball that day. Although the match was rained out, Mr Hadley was satisfied with Radella that day. Later, some matches of the 2000 Youth World Cup Cricket Tournament were also held at the Radella Stadium. There, teams from Kenya, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Ireland, the United States of America etc. competed in the rowing. A few months later, a match between the Nuwara Eliya District Cricket Team and the Malibone Cricket Club was held at Radella. After that, there is no match that this ground remembers. It was in March 2001. Meanwhile, several cricket teams such as New South Wales, Madras, Hyderabad Blues etc. had competed against the Dimbula Cricket Chairman’s team.
At the end of it all, this ground is free. In the meantime, almost two decades have passed. During those two decades, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Australia, England, etc. joined many cricket match tours. But Radella did not take advantage of it. From time to time, the executive officers who took over the cricket administration in this country ignored Radella. But it is a matter of appreciation that the current cricket authorities understand that the Radella Stadium should be renovated and put to use. Aiming at the upcoming tour of New Zealand, the Radella Stadium was reopened for the national team.
Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Cricket Institute issued an announcement on the 15th and said that this ground is ready for cricket training again. Dimbula Sports Club, a member club of Sri Lanka Cricket, owns the Radella Stadium. The Sri Lankan players started training for the tour of New Zealand at the Radella Stadium, which was renovated and prepared for training with the intervention of those two institutions. For another 4 days, they will stay at Radella and practice. (Divaina)
Feature Image Credits: Sri Lanka Cricket
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