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Suranga Lakmal

1 41 Suranga Lakmal
1 41 Suranga Lakmal Image: Wikimedia Commons. Dave Morton / Public domain

Ranasinghe Arachchige Suranga Lakmal (Sinhala: රණසිංහ ආරච්චිගේ සුරංග ලක්මාල්; born 10 March 1987) is a former professional Sri Lankan cricketer who played in all three formats of the international game and served as a Test captain. A right-arm fast bowler and right-handed lower-order batsman, he was, at the time of his retirement, the second-highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in Test cricket among fast bowlers, behind only Chaminda Vaas.

Key facts

Full name Ranasinghe Arachchige Suranga Lakmal
Born 10 March 1987
Nationality Sri Lankan
Batting Right-handed
Bowling Right-arm fast
Role Bowler
School Debarawewa National School, Tissamaharama
Domestic team Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club
Test wickets 168
Former position Sri Lanka Test captain
International retirement Announced 2 February 2022

Background and early life

Lakmal was born on 10 March 1987 and began his cricketing journey at Debarawewa National School in Tissamaharama, in the Hambantota District of southern Sri Lanka. From there he progressed through age-group cricket into the senior national set-up.

2009 Lahore attack

Lakmal was first included in the Sri Lankan national squad for the tour of Pakistan in 2008–09. During this tour, he was caught up in the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, in which he was severely injured. Splinters lodged in his right arm and leg, and doctors advised him to take a break from cricket of at least two years to allow surgical removal of the foreign objects. He subsequently underwent complicated surgery, although some metal fragments continued to remain in his body throughout his playing career, on medical advice, in order to allow him to continue playing.

As a consequence, he was repeatedly required to explain to airport security personnel why a metal particle embedded in his left thigh would set off metal detectors during the national side's overseas tours.

International career

Lakmal became a regular member of the Sri Lankan Test side, while making more sporadic appearances in limited-overs cricket. He finished his Test career with 168 wickets, making him the fourth leading wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in the format. He was known for an accurate, repeatable bowling action and the ability to generate notable swing and lateral seam movement.

Performance in overseas conditions

Of his 168 Test wickets, 130 were taken in away conditions. Sri Lanka's traditionally spin-friendly home pitches often pushed him into a holding role at home, where he bowled fewer overs and found wicket-taking harder. Overseas, however, he was rewarded for his ability to hold a line and length over long spells. He claimed five-wicket hauls in three of the four SENA nations — Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Limited-overs cricket

In white-ball cricket, Lakmal was largely entrusted with a holding role, although he led Sri Lanka's pace attack in several pressure situations. He also contributed useful runs lower down the order on occasion.

Captaincy and standing in the side

Lakmal captained Sri Lanka in Test cricket and was regarded within the national set-up as a dependable team man. He was at times under scrutiny for fitness and injury concerns through his career.

Domestic cricket

At domestic level, Lakmal represented Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club in Sri Lankan first-class cricket.

Retirement

On 2 February 2022, Lakmal announced that he would retire from all forms of international cricket following Sri Lanka's tour of India.

Significance

Lakmal is one of the most prolific fast bowlers produced by Sri Lanka, second only to Chaminda Vaas in Test wickets among the country's seamers. His record of 130 of his 168 Test wickets coming away from home is particularly notable in the context of Sri Lankan fast bowling, where overseas success has historically been rare. His career also stands as a notable instance of an international cricketer continuing at the top level after sustaining serious injuries in the 2009 Lahore attack.

References