Warne-Muralitharan Trophy 2019: Preview

Sri Lanka’s Bowling

Lahiru Kumara could be the most potent bowler in Sri Lanka's squad

The bowling department of Sri Lanka looks quite weak, even more so due to the departure of Rangana Herath last year. In the 2012-13 series, Herath emerged as the one finger spinner of this generation who made a big impact in Australian conditions.

In his absence, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan will have the spin-bowling duties. Perera is likely to have a hard time owing to the difficulties Australian conditions present to finger spinners. On top of that, his performance on the tour of New Zealand doesn’t give any indication that he is likely to buck the trend of off-spinners struggling down under.

Sandakan may well be preferred on count of him being a wrist spinner. His case is further strengthened by the performance of fellow chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav in the Sydney Test earlier this month. Sandakan may well be a surprise performer in this series.

In the pace bowling sphere, Sri Lanka have brought along the usual faces that have been with or around the team for the last year or so. Among them, the most potent seems to be Lahiru Kumara. He is physically strong and bowled impressively on the team’s tour of West Indies last year. On bouncy pitches, he could be very effective with his ability to get the ball to rise inconveniently at times.

But if there is some greenery on the tracks, Suranga Lakmal would come into play big time. He becomes twice the bowler he normally is on such pitches. Other bowlers – Nuwan Pradeep, Kasun Rajitha and Dushmantha Chameera haven’t done anything big yet on the Test to cause worry for the Australians.