It was as a pupil at nearby St Anthony's that Muttiah Muralitharan appeared on the ground - and was as effective then as he is now. Soon after breaking the Test wicket record the other day he recalled that he first played at the Asgiriya as a 15-year-old, against the local rivals (and was as effective then as he is now).

Kumar Sangakkara, who became the first batsman to make scores of 150 or more in four consecutive matches, was truly at home. He attended Trinity and indeed when he spoke to reporters after his 152 against England he mentioned that his first coach was in the room. Inter-schools cricket is big potatoes in Sri Lanka.

The Asgiriya, truly tree-lined, is the only school ground on which Test matches are played, and it would also be on anyone's list of the most beautiful sports stadiums on the planet. Since this is hill country, it had to hewed out of rock and was levelled by 10 metres.

It is notable for another reason: it must be the only ground in the world where a former groundsman is buried. In front of the old Colonial pavilion a stone bears the inscription: "Here lies Don James Abeyewardene Jasinghe Guru-Mohandiram of Trinity College, teacher, friend, master builder, maker of this field, February 2, 1861 - June 29, 1922."

No Test arena in England is also a school ground (the game has been professional too long for that) though several school pitches are used for county cricket. Surrey play at Whitgift College, Leicestershire at Oakham School and, most traditionally, Gloucestershire at Cheltenham College. Cheltenham Festival remains a highlight of the season, though it had be cancelled last year because of the rain in the west country.

It should resume this summer. Cheltenham is always fun. On balance, however, and after due  consideration it might be more spiffing to spend some time at the Trinity College Week in Kandy.