Suranga Lakmal - unique feat

Chris DHAMBARAGE

He was the first ever player to represent the national team from the Hambanthota District. On Wednesday December 1, he performed another unique feat by capturing a wicket in the first ball of the third Test match against West Indies.

Twenty three year old Suranga Lakmal christened the newly constructed Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium by removing West Indian opener Chris Gayle with his first delivery while playing in his second Test to join a select band of cricketers.

His achievement was even more significant considering the fact that his first Test victim was also the same batsman at the R. Premadasa Stadium last week. But this was a historic moment as he was given the responsibility as the main strike bowler after the exit of Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekera.

No surprise

But for Suranga Lakmal this was no surprise because he has been dreaming of performing this role for his country ever since he made it to the national team two years ago.

Lakmal said that he always had a dream of playing for the national team but is surprised that he has made it much earlier than he anticipated.

National team

"I had a dream of playing for the national team. I never thought I will be picked so early. The cricketers face a lot of competition to get into the team. I must thank my first coach Neil Kamal who is the man behind my success."

Even then his first overseas tour with the Sri Lanka test team turned out to be a real nightmare as he survived the Lahore terror attack in Pakistan in February, 2009.

He has put aside all those bitter memories and has worked tirelessly to emerge as the biggest prospects in the Sri Lankan bowling armory.

The right arm fast bowler is no doubt heading in the right direction having earlier made his mark with the Sri Lanka 'A' team.

Suranga Lakmal is an outstanding player who has the potential to become a match winner with his solid action and a physique ideal for a fast bowler, at six feet and two inches.

He had a dream of becoming a good fast bowler although he faced great difficulties being the only son in a family of six siblings. Suranga Lakmal's journey towards success is almost a fairytale because he has made things happen from a skinny youngster going through his daily routine of a tennis ball cricket match with his friends to becoming a main strike bowler in the national team.

He proved this to a great extent in South Africa with the Sri Lanka 'A' team, knocking over some reputed players with his speed and accuracy during the unofficial Test series.

Suranga Lakmal has certainly kept to that promise and his record in the domestic scene too has been quite impressive while representing Tamil Union for the first time in the SLC Premier League and Premier limited over tournaments.

As the Debarawewa National School and Richmond College Galle opened the doors to Suranga Lakmal's cricketing career it was at Tamil Union that he really made an impact with a lot of hard work and commitment.

First coach

He arrived in Colombo as a total outsider and within a short period of two years changed the entire set up in becoming a genuine fast bowler. His talents were initially spotted by his first coach Neil Kamal when he was representing Debarawewa National School at the age of 14.

But as the school was struggling to field a first eleven side he was forced to pack his bags and move towards Galle to represent Richmond College. He lived up to expectations and captured over 50 wickets apiece during his first two seasons and was also rewarded with School Colours.

This was a tremendous effort considering the fact that he had never practised or bowled on a turf wicket.

Lakmal had been a member of the Southern Province cricket teams at all age group levels and had in the process undergone a two year training stint under the watchful eyes of Champaka Ramanayake and Prabath Nissanka.