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Guide to the grounds - Sri Lanka

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England's upcoming series against Sri Lanka will offer a step into the unknown as they prepare to play one-day internationals in Hambabtota and Pallekele for the very first time.

The series will first begin with back-to-back matches at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where England have an unwanted memory from their most recent 50-over visit.

Here we look at the three venues that Alastair Cook's side will visit during the seven-match series.

 

R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Eoin Morgan will be one of four England players returning to the R Premadasa Stadium who played in the 2011 World Cup quarter-final loss

England will meet Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium tomorrow for the first time since theycrashed out of the 2011 World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Sri Lanka claimed a 10-wicket win that day, on the back of centuries to Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan, en route to reaching the final.

England have four survivors from that match as they return to the island nation - Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan and James Tredwell– and they will get an opportunity to make some amends in the capital.

England will, in fact, get four chances to try and improve their record at the Premadasa over the course of the seven-game series.

England have beaten Sri Lanka just once at the venue in five ODIs. That success came back in 2007, when Bopara and Bell were a part of the side, whileCook hit 80 to lead England to victory.

 

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

England will play in Hambantota for the first time in any format when they meet Sri Lanka on 3 December

England will add the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium near Hambantota to the list of international venues that they have played next week.

Cook will take his side to the south-coast venue, which was built ahead of the 2011 World Cup, for the third ODI on Wednesday 3 December.

The growing port town saw an optimistic bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games fail, but its cricket ground has quickly established a reputation for the weird and wonderful both on and off the field.

Off it elephants and water buffalo have been seen wandering just beyond the stadium walls – a snake once also surprised a journalist outside the press box -  while on it Sri Lanka have not enjoyed the best of times, winning just one of their past four ODIs.

 

Pallekele International Stadium, Pallekele

Steven Finn inspired England to victory at the newly-built Pallekele Stadium over New Zealand at the 2012 World Twenty20

Just like at the Premadasa, England will have a point to prove when they return to the Pallekele International Stadium.

It was the location for a 19-run defeat to Sri Lanka at the 2012 World Twenty20 which ended their title defence.

A raucous atmosphere greeted England’s players that night and they can expect more of the same ahead of their first ODIs at the venue – the fifth and sixth matches are scheduled for Pallekele.

England have won at the ground, beating New Zealand by six wickets when Steven Finn claimed 3-19.

Sri Lanka have won their only ODI at the ground this year, when they bowled out South Africa for 180 despite a century from Hashim Amla.


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