SSC Cricket Ground Profile:
The Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, also known as the SCG, is one of the most famous cricket grounds in Sri Lanka.
It is often referred to as the “Lord’s of Sri Lanka”, hosts international cricket and domestic finals and is the base of governing body Sri Lanka Cricket.
It is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic grounds despite the R Premadasa Stadium taking its place as the country’s main cricketing venue.
The stadium first hosted a Test match when Sri Lanka took on New Zealand in 1984. That came two years after its first ODI in 1982, which was against England.
The current site of the ground was established in 1952 and the pavilion was built in 1956. It also has two grass banks for spectators to sit.
SSC has been the site of some memorable moments over the years. Sri Lankan cricket greats Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara shared a partnership of 624 runs – the highest in first-class cricket – when South Africa visited in the 2006/07 campaign.
Australia legend Shane Warne took three wickets at the ground in just 13 balls when his country beat Sri Lanka in 1992. The showing was one of Warne’s first major contribution in Test cricket.
An eight-wicket haul for the loss of just 19 runs against Zimbabwe in 2001 saw Chaminda Vaas put in the best-ever one-day bowling performance.
The ground, which has a capacity of more than 15,000, also hosted games during the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
What to look for when betting on matches at the SSC
The pitch at the SSC seems to favour batting first. Pace bowling can be best deployed within the first few days of a Test because spins tends to dominate late on.
The surface can be on the slow side and benefits batsman with the patience to play it sensibly.