Australia vs Sri Lanka 2019: 5 things we learnt from the Test series

#5 Suranga Lakmal remains potent in helpful conditions

Suranga Lakmal proved his value in helpful conditions once again

When Suranga Lakmal had a good Test against India at Kolkata in 2017, the Sri Lankan coach said that the lanky pacer becomes very dangerous in swing-friendly conditions. This was proved again by his five-wicket haul in the day-night Test against Australia.

The day-night Tests in Australia that have been an annual fixture since 2015 and have invariably seen swing bowlers reaping rich harvest. Last year, Jimmy Anderson and Chris Woakes picked up a bagful of wickets under lights in the Ashes Test.

It is not surprising therefore that Lakmal again came to the fore for his team. While Sri Lanka are yet to find a decent replacement for Chaminda Vaas since his retirement, Lakmal has time and again proven his worth in helpful conditions.

However, a bowler playing for an Asian team won’t get such conditions very often and Lakmal’s inability to repeat such performances in less amiable surroundings has kept him from becoming a world-class bowler.

But if the pitch is green or the skies are dark, Lakmal will be Sri Lanka’s most potent weapon.