Silverwood happy to work with Lankan staff
National cricket head coach Chris Silverwood (centre) speaking to the media at the press conference held yesterday at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Mahinda Halangoda the National Team Manager (left) and Assistant Coach Naveed Nawaz also in the picture. (Pic courtesy SLC)
Fitness is more important and it gives players to continue the game and build up their strength. The players have to work hard for that, said newly appointed Sri Lanka National cricket head coach Chris Silverwood.
The 47-year-old former England coach said so at the maiden press conference with Sri Lankan media yesterday at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. “Actually I have been in touch with Sri Lankan players for nearly two weeks and they are only red bowl players (long format). It is a pleasure for me to join as head coach for the Sri Lanka team, added Silverwood. Now my home is Sri Lanka and I have a good supporting staff to continue my work. It’s a big challenge working with Sri Lankan players, said former right-arm paceman Chris Silverwood who played for 6 Tests and 7 ODIs for England.
“Working with Sri Lankan players are different from working with players like James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes, and Joe Root. However, I have a good family here, especially my Assistant Coach Naveed Nawaz, Manager Mahinda Halangoda and other supporting staff members are very helpful and we all share our ideas to build up the Sri Lanka team.”
My long term plan is to develop Sri Lankan team rankings and short term plans are to develop their skills to play the game with confidence. As the head coach first I have to realize players’ requirements and get close to them to resolve their problems.
“I am very happy to see Sri Lankan Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne presently playing English county cricket and it’s a good experience for him. Dimuth and I always chat and exchange messages and he will join the team on May 9 in Bangladesh. Especially Sri Lankan coaching consultant Mahela Jayawardene who is with the Mumbai Indians team at IPL chat with me and exchange ideas”, said Silverwood.
This is not my first tour to Sri Lanka. Earlier, I have been here four times with the English team and I am very keen to live with Sri Lankan conditions, said coach Silverwood.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan National team Assistant Coach Naveen Nawaz said working with a coach like Silverwood is more important and both of us still studying Sri Lankan players. For more than 9 years I have worked with SLC in different capacities with the coaching staff and this is the first time I’m attached to the National team as an Assistant Coach. I was away in Australia and my family too migrated to Australia and then back to Bangladesh as an Under 19 Head Coach and happy to win the Under 19 World Cup under my assistance.”
Here in Sri Lanka, I have to do a dual part as an assistant coach and batting specialist coach for the National team. I think the psychological part of the players is also very important. I had experience with working some players in their school days and it’s really good to see them on the National side today. The coaching methods are different compared to the 1990s and we have to realise that. Especially cricketers have a busy schedule and they have to work hard for the game, said former Sri Lankan player Naveed Nawaz.