Cricket News

Ahead of Bangladesh tour, Sri Lankan head-coach Chris Silverwood looks at absence of key players as opportunity for others to step up

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are set to clash in the first of a crucial three-match T20I series kicking off tomorrow in Sylhet, Bangladesh. This series holds immense significance for both sides as they gear up for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA, scheduled for June. Both teams are looking to build form and test their squads in a competitive environment ahead of the global showpiece event.

Sri Lanka will face an added challenge in this crucial T20I series, as they will be without the services of two key players- key batter Pathum Nissanka and the wily spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. Nissanka has been ruled out of the entire series due to a hamstring injury, while skipper Hasaranga will be serving a two-match suspension, having lashed out at an umpire recently. Charith Asalanka will take the reins as captain for the first two matches, and his leadership combined with the hunger of fringe players aiming to impress the selectors in Hasaranga’s absence could be a blessing in disguise for Sri Lanka.

“Wanindu missing 2 matches is something that we have to deal with”- Chris Silverwood

Acknowledging the challenge of Wanindu Hasaranga’s absence, Sri Lankan coach Chris Silverwood adopted a pragmatic approach. He emphasized that while they accept the punishment and have to move on, Hasaranga’s absence becomes an opportunity for others in the squad to gain valuable playing time before the World Cup. This approach highlights Silverwood’s focus on finding the silver lining in the situation and utilizing it to benefit the team’s development in the long run. “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,”

He emphasized that the team is using this series as a crucial step in their World Cup preparations, providing valuable game time for players who will need to step up in Hasaranga and Nissanka‘s absence. Silverwood highlighted the importance of this series for both the teams involved, as they are striving to finalize their squads and gain experience in a competitive environment before the World Cup.

“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,” he said.