The art of learning to deliver on the sub-continent, which if Lyon can do as well as he did on Wednesday, will turn into a thing of beauty for Australia.

"That's purely my term for it," Lyon explained.

"It's something that I refer to myself to make sure I am using my different variations and bowling at the right speed."

Six years ago in Sri Lanka Lyon endured one of his toughest tours as Australia were trounced 3-0.

Even coach Darren Lehmann admitted after their series-sealing loss in Galle that Lyon's record on the sub-continent was not good enough.

Ultimately, it proved to be a turning point.

At the end of that tour, Lyon's figures on what is renowned as the spin-bowling haven of Asia stood at 42 wickets at an average of 42.57.

Since then, he's taken 70 wickets at 25.84 on the continent.

His 5-90 on Wednesday marked his second straight five-wicket haul, having spun Australia to victory against Pakistan in Lahore in the third Test in March.

The fivefer helped dismiss Sri Lanka for 212, with Australia reducing the deficit to 114 by the close as they reached 3-98 at stumps.

An admirer of the shape of offbreaks, Lyon has had to learn to be ready to go away from what has made him successful in Australia.

Be ready to go up and down with his speeds, move away from his stock ball more regularly and slightly differ his release point and height.

"It's about me asking different questions by different variations," Lyon continued.

"Whereas in Australia I will probably stick to my strength which is my stock ball and trust in that.

"When you come over here you have about three or four different variations that you are able to trust and know you're going to get some assistance off the wickets."

What could also be ugly for Lyon is his back.

The 34-year-old experienced spasms in his first over, but still continued to work through a 22-over spell in a sign of how much Australia will rely on him this series.

"I've never had one [before], ever," Lyon said.

"It didn't impede me bowling. I'm pretty stiff now, but we've got a pretty amazing medical staff.

"I'm just going to do everything I possibly can to ensure I get enough rest and recover well.

"There's no excuses, I've just got to come out and perform and do what I do best, which is bowl off-breaks ... I'll be fine."

Australian Associated Press