Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 1st Test is going to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from 2 February 2024.
SL vs AFG 1st Test 2024: Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo Pitch Report
The Colombo pitch typically favors both batsmen and spin bowlers, presenting an opportunity for the team winning the toss to opt for batting first and set a substantial total. Given the conducive conditions for batting, it becomes crucial for the captain to capitalize on this advantage and aim to post a formidable score early on.
Furthermore, the presence of talented spinners on both sides underscores the importance of batters showcasing their best performances. With spinners likely to play a significant role in exploiting the pitch conditions, batters need to bring their best game to the forefront. This entails displaying skill, patience, and adaptability to effectively counter the spin threat and accumulate runs steadily.
In essence, success on the Colombo pitch hinges on a strategic approach from the captain, emphasizing the importance of batting first to establish dominance, while batters must rise to the challenge posed by the skilled spinners to ensure a competitive performance.
SL vs AFG 1st Test 2024: Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo Test Records and Stats
The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, located in Colombo, Sri Lanka, has a rich history in Test cricket, also known previously as Maitland Place. Since its inaugural Test match on March 16, 1984, until the most recent one on July 24, 2023, a total of 44 Test matches have been played at this venue.
Home advantage has been evident, with the home side winning 20 matches, constituting 45.45% of the total matches played. Meanwhile, touring sides have managed to secure victory in 10 matches, accounting for 22.73%. Notably, no neutral side has won a Test match at this ground.
The significance of winning the toss is reflected in the statistics, as teams winning the toss have won 31.11% of matches, with an equal number of victories for teams batting first and second, each winning 35.56% of the matches.
Drawing matches is not uncommon at this venue, with 31.82% of matches ending in a draw. No matches have been tied so far.
The ground has witnessed impressive individual and team performances, with D P M D Jayawardene’s 374 against South Africa in 2006 standing as the highest individual innings, and H M R K B Herath’s bowling figures of 9/127 in an innings and 14/184 in a match against Pakistan in 2014 being the best bowling performances.
In terms of team records, Sri Lanka’s highest team innings stands at 756/5 declared against South Africa in 2006, while their lowest team innings was 81 against England in 2001. Sri Lanka also holds the record for the highest successful run chase, achieving 326/5 against Zimbabwe in 1998.
Overall, the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground has seen competitive cricket, with an average opening stand of 37.99 runs, an average runs per wicket of 34.82, and an average runs per over of 3.07. The typical first innings score at this ground is 321 runs.
Also read: SL vs AFG 1st Test: List of Commentators & Umpires for Today Match 2024
| City | Colombo | ||
| Country | Sri Lanka | ||
| Also or previously Known as | Maitland Place | ||
| First Test Match | 16/03/1984 | ||
| Last Test Match | 24/07/2023 | ||
| Matches Played | 44 | ||
| Matches Won by Home Side | 20 (45.45%) | ||
| Matches Won by Touring Side | 10 (22.73%) | ||
| Matches Won by Neutral Side | 0 (0.00%) | ||
| Matches Won Batting First | 16 (35.56%) | ||
| Matches Won Batting Second | 14 (31.11%) | ||
| Matches Won Winning Toss | 14 (31.11%) | ||
| Matches Won Losing Toss | 16 (35.56%) | ||
| Matches Drawn | 14 (31.82%) | ||
| Matches Tied | 0 (0.00%) | ||
| Highest Individual Innings | 374 | D P M D Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) | 27/07/2006 v South Africa |
| Best Bowling (Innings) | 9/127 | H M R K B Herath (Sri Lanka) | 14/08/2014 v Pakistan |
| Best Bowling (Match) | 14/184 | H M R K B Herath (Sri Lanka) | 14/08/2014 v Pakistan |
| Highest Team Innings | 756/5 dec (Sri Lanka) | 27/07/2006 v South Africa | |
| Lowest Team Innings | 81 (Sri Lanka) | 15/03/2001 v England | |
| Highest Run Chase Achieved | 326/5 (Sri Lanka) | 14/01/1998 v Zimbabwe | |
| Average Opening Stand (Runs) | 37.99 | ||
| Average Runs per Wicket | 34.82 | ||
| Average Runs per Over | 3.07 | ||
| Average Score Batting First | 321 | ||