Believer Silverwood wants to make a difference

By Amindha de Alwis

Recently appointed Head Coach of the Sri Lanka cricket team Chris Silverwood is excited by what he sees in Sri Lanka cricket and believes he can make a difference through his involvement in the set-up.

Silverwood takes up the position left vacant by Mickey Arthur, who was not awarded an extension to his two-year term by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) last year.

“What we have got here is very exciting and I think I can make a difference to it. And ultimately that is what made me want to take the job – to make a difference. I believe if we push the team, we can climb up the rankings and get back to that spot where Sri Lanka once was,” said Silverwood, who linked up with the team two weeks ago.

The former England coach, who was on the opposite side of the fence when the English toured Sri Lanka early last year, has already earmarked he believes the team needs to improve and has wasted no time in making it know to the players.

“Looking at the batting, you want discipline in the batting, you want patience in the batting, and some intent to score as well. One of the things I will be trying to do is instill confidence into the boys so they can go out there and construct big innings,” Silverwood said.

“I have also specifically challenged the Test bowlers to be hot on their first 12 balls, because in the first 12 balls you can make a real impact in your spell as well as pushing the pressure back on the batsmen.”

He said the early signs were positive.

“What I have noticed is they have responded really well so far. They have responded well to the fielding drills that we have been doing. They have been enthusiastic with everything we have tried to do so far, and personally I have been really pleased with how the boys have trained,” he expressed.

Silverwood’s first assignment as Head Coach is the two-Test series in Bangladesh later this month, and he will be working with former national player Naveed Nawaz who was appointed Assistant Coach.

Nawaz, who applied for the Head Coach position himself, said that his primary motive is taking Sri Lanka cricket back to its glory days and that he is looking forward to the opportunity of working with Silverwood.

“It is a great opportunity, and it is lovely to be working with someone like Chris who has got a wealth of experience working in England. Yes, I applied for the Head Coach role, but I still take this as an opportunity as long as both of us are on the same page. At the back of my mind the motive is bring back Sri Lanka cricket’s lost glory. That is all that matters to me,” he said.

Nawaz who had a successful stint as Under-19 coach in Bangladesh also shared his thoughts on the conditions that Sri Lanka will likely encounter this month on their red-ball tour of Bangladesh.

“Our first Test match is in Chittagong. Matches in Chittagong over the last few years have often gone to the final session of Day 5. The wicket tends to be very flat, and with both our team and Bangladesh having experienced red-ball batters, the game could be decided by the performance of the batters.”

“The second Test is in Mirpur which is on the slow side and takes turn, but overall, it is also batting friendly. The tracks in Bangladesh do not bounce too much, with the ball coming at knee-height and even the turn tends to be slow. I think the batters will enjoy the wickets in Bangladesh,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Team Manager Mahinda Halangoda, when quizzed about Roshen Silva’s withdrawal from the 18-man touring squad, said that the middle-order batter had indicated his inability to tour.

“He was in the squad but had travelled to play in England. The selectors informed him of his selection and requested he join the team back home, but he has decided to continue with his contract in England I believe,” Halangoda said.

Silva has been replaced by left-handed batter Kamindu Mendis who is yet to be capped in the longest format.