I want them to be brave: Chris Silverwood opines on Sri Lanka team

In his first press conference, Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood has opined on the key areas to improve for the team in the upcoming series/tournaments.

In their last Test and T20I series against India, the island nation lost 2-0 and 3-0, respectively. On the other hand, they faced Zimbabwe in their last ODI series and won by 2-1. 

Silverwood reckoned that he has been on the lookout for the stats, which can prove valuable to the Sri Lanka team. He felt that the batters needed to have intent and confidence to score runs. 

"I have spent the last couple of weeks just digging through stats, looking at how we can improve. One of them is the intent to score. We have to give the batters the confidence to go out there and not fear getting out," said Silverwood. 

The 47-year old further said that if the batters are smart and positive, it will decrease the number of dot balls and push their strike rates, which will ultimately help in winning games. 

"That's not to say we have to be reckless; what I'm saying is we have to bring smarts into that as well. But I do want them to be positive; I want them to be brave."

"If we go with that attitude, the dot-ball rates will come down, and the strike rates will go up, which can only be a good thing," he added. 

The head coach also revealed that he has urged the Test bowlers to be at their best in the first 12 balls, which would put pressure on the opposition batters. He further added that if the bowlers can maintain a certain line and length for more extended periods of time, they can wear out the batters. 

"I've specifically challenged the Test bowlers to be hot on their first 12 balls... because as we all know, (with) the first 12 balls, you can make a real impact as well as put pressure back on the batters,"

"Hitting your lines and lengths, finding spots on any given pitch, and being able to live there, and then you bring in the skills like wobble seam etc." And all our guys swing it too, which is great, so it's just about bringing all those skills together and being disciplined enough to live in one area, where you can wear the opposition down if need be," Silverwood added. 

Silverwood served as the head coach of the England team until January 2022, before he was sacked due to the loss 0-4 against Australia in Ashes 2021/22.

Last month, he was appointed as Sri Lanka's national team head coach on a 2-year deal. His first assignment will be the away Test series against Bangladesh this month. Then, a home series spanning across all the three formats against Australia in June.