By Amindha de Alwis

Sri Lanka will head into the final ODI versus the touring Australians today with the unusual cushion of having wrapped up the series with a game to spare. 

Dasun Shanaka’s side recovered from losing the first ODI in Pallekele to win three games on the bounce and record their first home-series win over Australia in 30 years.

Sri Lanka Head Coach Chris Silverwood said that his team would not sit on their laurels having clinched the series, stressing that they have the potential to climb to even greater heights.

“To me, one of the most exciting things is we are still nowhere near the potential that we have, but we are still pushing one of the best teams in the world and obviously beat them in our conditions. So, to me, that is very exciting. It means that we have got more to come, and if the guys keep learning and progressing the way they are, then we will be in a strong position to challenge anywhere in the world,” he conveyed.

On his approach to keeping the dressing room environment relaxed, Silverwood said that clear, consistent lines of communication on player roles and giving them freedom to play their game is central to his role.

“It is (about) giving them the confidence to play the way that they want to and give them the confidence to express themselves in the knowledge that if you get out doing something, it is fine as long as I know it is part of your game.”

“Players around the world, they express themselves and are very expansive. Batsmen play reverse-sweeps and sweeps, and are not scared of hitting over the top. So, we have to be in the same position where we can do that. And it is my job to try and give them the confidence and freedom to do that,” he remarked.

The Sri Lankan dressing room had been observed displaying alpha-numeric coded signals to the team when taking the field during the series. The strategy was previously seen employed during Silverwood’s tenure with England, and the Head Coach confirmed that the signals are strategic suggestions towards the Sri Lankan captain rather than instructions. 

“It is not rocket-science really. It is literally just some strategic suggestions from us to the captain of something for him to think about. It is not telling the captain what to do; it is just suggestions of what may or may not match up at any given point.”
“It is entirely up to the captain whether he listens to those suggestions or whether he goes with his gut-feeling. He is the man in charge out there, and it is just communicating ideas with him on what may or may not work at that given point in time,” he said.

Silverwood also had a word on 19-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, who, in his debut series, has belied his age with his performances and character on field.

“He has got a very good head on his shoulders when it comes to tactics around cricket, and I think he holds his nerve very well. In Kandy, when he was one off 15 balls, he held his nerve there and managed to get 20 on the board which became valuable towards the end in the low target that we set. So, I think somebody like him shows the depth we have got within out system and for him to do as he has at such a young age is great,” he remarked.