Silverwood’s focus as head coach was on ‘intent to score’

Chris Silverwood, Sri Lanka’s new head coach, said in his first news conference after taking the job that he wants to emphasize on batting and scoring runs in a “free” and “brave” manner.

“I’ve spent the last few weeks going over analytics and figuring out how we might better. The desire to score is one among them.”

“We need to instill confidence in the hitters so they can go out there and not be afraid of being struck out,” according to Silverwood.

“That’s not to suggest we have to be rash; rather, we need to use our heads as well as our hearts. But I do want them to be optimistic and courageous.”

“If we keep that approach, we’ll see a decrease in dot-ball rates and an increase in strike rates, which can only be a good thing.”

“It’s all about scoring runs, and that’s what we’re looking for from our batting lineup.”

“This isn’t a rocket science problem.”

“We’d like to see more discipline in the batting, as well as more patience and a desire to score.”

Silverwood has instructed the bowlers to concentrate on the “first 12 balls” they bowl, which he claims has a significant impact on batsmen.

“I’ve deliberately pushed the Test bowlers to be hot on their first 12 deliveries… because, as we all know, you can have a significant impact and put pressure back on the batsman with the first 12 balls.”

“It’s about instilling the discipline of being able to accomplish wonderful things for lengthy periods of time without being bored.”

“You start by hitting your lines and lengths, identifying locations on any particular pitch, and being able to live there, and then you add additional talents like wobbling seam and other things.”

“And all of our players can swing it, which is amazing, so it’s just a matter of combining all of those skills and being disciplined enough to reside in one area where you can wear down the opposition if necessary.”

“It’ll be a slow process, but if you plant the seed and wait for it to grow, you’ll find that people can accomplish it.”

Sri Lanka will play two Test matches in Bangladesh in May, and the 18-man squad, which includes a couple of 21-year-olds, heralds the start of a new era.