Silverwood has identified the opportunity in the absence of Hasaranga and Nissanka
Sri Lanka’s head coach, Chris Silverwood, emphasized on Sunday that the absence of skipper Wanindu Hasaranga in the opening two T20Is of the three-match series could serve as an opportunity for others to gain valuable game time ahead of the forthcoming T20 World Cup.
Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s T20I captain, was handed a two-match suspension and fined 50 percent of his match fee by the ICC for his outburst against umpire Lyndon Hannibal during the series against Afghanistan.
Consequently, he will not be available for the first two games of the series starting at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from March 4.
“Wanindu missing two matches is something that we have to deal with.
Wanindu has accepted his punishment, and all we have to do now is move on.
What it does do is create an opportunity for other people within the squad to get significant game time leading into the World Cup,” Silverwood told reporters at the SICS on Sunday.
“That’s how we have to look at it because we’ve seen in a World Cup and Sri Lanka have experienced that it’s not just the eleven on the field; it’s a whole squad that takes part in the World Cup,” he added.
“And at any given point, they will all be called upon and so we have to make sure that everybody within that squad is ready for those games as and when they’re called upon.”
Furthermore, Silverwood acknowledged the setback caused by the absence of Pathum Nissanka, stating it also creates opportunities for others.
“Over the past seven to eight months, he’s (Pathum) become a very, very consistent player at the top of the order for Sri Lanka.
And recently we’ve seen some superb knocks from him, both in ODI cricket and in T20 cricket.
The great thing is I don’t think Pathum will be too long before he’s returning to us because he’s a very valuable member of the squad and a much-respected member of the squad.
So we’re looking forward to getting him back.
But as I’ve said before, I mean, this also creates an opportunity for people that might not get that game time that may be required, obviously, for a World Cup.
So, for me, it’s going to provide someone else with game time,” he said.
Reflecting on their recent performances, Silverwood expressed confidence in Sri Lanka’s ability to perform well against the hosts, citing their victory over Afghanistan in the recently concluded T20I series.
“To be fair, we’ve played some very good T20 cricket leading into this, so I expect that to continue.
I expect us to continue to grow our game plans, continue to develop as a team and as players, and keep working hard towards that.
And ultimately playing our own brand of cricket going into the World Cup, you know what I mean? We are Sri Lanka, we want to play like Sri Lankans, and that’s what we’re going to aim to do.”
When asked about the rivalry between the two nations, Silverwood remained unfazed, prioritizing the upcoming challenges.
“Listen, first and foremost, I expect this to be a very competitive series between two good sides.
What happened in the past, for me, that’s history, now it’s gone.
I think what we have to do is, certainly from our perspective, concentrate on what’s in front of us,” the coach said.
“And remember what we’re aiming for.
I mean, obviously we’re now in the buildup to what is an important competition in the World Cup.
I think all teams now are sort of finalizing their squads, give experience, so ultimately that’s what it is.
We’re building up to a World Cup, and it’s great that we have such a good competition in front of us to do that, great series to do that in.
So, as I said, I’m expecting a very exciting series.
There are some dangerous players on both sides.
So I think it’ll be good fun.
But as I said, what’s happened in the past is history.
It’s about what’s in front of us now,” he added.
Regarding the favorites for the series, Silverwood maintained a diplomatic stance.
“Well, obviously I’m going to say Sri Lanka are going to be the favorites.
But listen, as I’ve already said, there are two good teams that will both be pushing very hard to win this series.
Because we’re all building up to the World Cup now, so we want to start making sure that we’re playing top cricket going into that.
So as I said before, I expect this to be very competitive,” Silverwood concluded.
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