T20 World Cup: Chris Silverwood confident of Sri Lanka turning things around

Sri Lanka team (Source: Twitter)

Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood is optimistic about turning the tables and getting back to winning ways in the T20 World Cup. 

The Dasun Shanaka-led side failed to defend their total of 157 against Australia on Tuesday (October 25). It was a fine effort from the batters to post a competitive total, on the back of Pathum Nissanka (40) and Charith Asalanka (38). 

The bowlers were impressive in the first half of Australia's innings, but things turned upside down with Marcus Stoinis (59*) unleashing one of his finest T20I performances to date. 

Sri Lanka now have one win and a loss in the ongoing T20 WC campaign and are third in the Group A points table. 

It will require a clinical all-round effort for the Lankan team to prevail over tough opponents like New Zealand and England, and reach the semi-finals. Also, they are currently facing injury concerns for some of the players.  

The key speedster Dushmantha Chameera was ruled out of the tournament due to a calf tear. The left-arm seamer Binura Fernando limped off the field against Australia, without completing his single over. 

In this regard, Silverwood thinks the decision on Fernando will be made after getting an exact idea of the extent of the injury. The 47-year-old thinks Sri Lanka have an inbuilt momentum after the Asia Cup triumph and have an in-built belief to come out victorious in the rest of the games. 

Here is what Chris Silverwood said: 

"We'll obviously assess him [Fernando] and the physios are working with him," Silverwood said. "We'll find out exactly the extent of the injury and we'll have to make some decisions from there.

"I truly believe that we can not only challenge this group, but come out victorious. "I think we've shown we have the capabilities and the skills within the group."

Sri Lanka will clash with New Zealand on Saturday (October 29) in Sydney, which will be a must-win game for them to stake a claim for the semi-final spot. 

Read more: T20 World Cup: Dasun Shanaka reflects on a loss to Australia