Silverwood takes charge as Sri Lanka Head Coach
Chris Silverwood will be with the Sri Lanka team for next two years
After a four-month hunt, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) signed up Chris Silverwood, who was removed as Head Coach of England after their 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia last year, as Head Coach of the National Men’s team. He is expected to arrive soon in Sri Lanka to take over the job as Sri Lanka looks to come round ahead of a tight international schedule that includes the T20 World Cup later this year.
His first assignment would be the Test series against Bangladesh next month. The Englishman has signed a two-year contract with SLC, his new employer.
“I am very excited to be on board with Sri Lanka and I cannot wait to get over to Colombo and get started,” Silverwood has said after he accepted his new position.
“They have a talented and passionate group of players and I am really looking forward to meeting up with the players and coaching staff very soon.”
Sri Lanka were without a full-time head coach since Mickey Arthur’s departure in December. Since then, former fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake had been in charge of the men’s team.
Silverwood’s appointment comes after Paul Farbrace and Graham Ford turned down invitations by SLC to take up the position. Silverwood, 47, was a former English international who joined England as bowling coach in January 2018. When Trevor Bayliss left after the World Cup, Silverwood was elevated to position of Head Coach. He has spoken about England’s “enormous potential for growth” and, after leading Essex to County Championship, he was keen to improve the side’s red-ball fortunes.
Silverwood began his stint with promise but left England’s Test side very much where they were when he had inherited the side back in 2019. His first tour to New Zealand–a Test series–ended in defeat but he had a successful year in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
England beat South Africa and Sri Lanka in an away series before counting wins against Pakistan and West Indies at home during the first pandemic summer, living in bubbles, and playing in front of empty stadiums.
But 2021 was appalling for England. Out of 14 Tests, they lost a record nine. These include defeats in a series against India in the subcontinent, a home series loss to New Zealand, the eventual World Test Champions, and a five-match home series suspended 2-1 in favour of the visitors.
During the Ashes series, not once did England passed 300. In their last 21 innings, despite having some great talent, they were bowled out under 200 nine times, raising questions about Silverwood’s strategic thinking and communication skills.
In limited-over cricket, England reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals but lost to New Zealand, ending their campaign on a disappointing note.
Silverwood is still a better prospect when compared with those who initially applied to the post, with SLC deciding against handing the position to Naveed Nawaz despite recommendations from the Technical Advisory Committee. With Mahela Jayawardena in-charge of coaching as Consultant Coach, SLC must be hoping he could guide Silverwood through as Sri Lanka desperately looks for consistency in performance.
“We are delighted to appoint Chris as the new Head Coach of the national team,” said Ashley de Silva, CEO of SLC.
“He is an extremely experienced coach and from our discussions with him in the recruitment process it is clear he has the required qualities we are looking for to take the team forward,” de Silva added.