Silverwood to take charge today in bubble-free life

by Rex Clementine

The fears of the pandemic that wrecked havoc for two years are gradually easing off as the government made an announcement that wearing masks in public places isn’t mandatory. Cricket, since the pandemic broke out, has been either played behind closed doors or with restricted capacity and players on bio-secure bubbles. But all that is set to change when the members of the national cricket team gather at RPS for training today.

The last two years have been tough on the players as staying in bubbles meant that they were restricted to training facilities and hotel rooms being away from family and friends. However, from now on, players who attend training can return home. While earlier players were tested regularly for COVID, Professor Arjuna de Silva, head of the SLC medical panel, confirmed testing will be now done only if players show symptoms.

Sri Lanka will also have a new Head Coach from today on as former Yorkshire fast bowler Chris Silverwood succeeds Mickey Arthur. The former England coach will conduct his first training session today at RPS along with a new coaching staff that also includes former NCC batsman Naveed Nawaz, who is an understudy to Silverwood.

Nawaz’s coaching profile went up by several notches when Bangladesh under-19 team stunned everyone by winning the ICC Youth World Cup in 2020 in South Africa. Nawaz was the Head Coach of the Bangladesh team.

Former great Chaminda Vaas had been named as the Fast Bowling Coach for the Bangladesh series later next month, but Vaas had refused to take up the role on a temporary basis and instead had asked for a two-year contract.

Former S. Thomas’ College great Mahinda Halangoda meanwhile has taken over as Manager of the national cricket team on a one year contract.

The national cricket team was without a Head Coach since December last year and former fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake functioned as interim coach during the tours of Australia and India and the home series against Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka will play two Tests in Bangladesh next month and the preparation is targeting the tour. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne will not be available for the training camps as he is in UK playing County Cricket for Yorkshire. Karunaratne, the world’s number six ranked batsman, will arrive in Dhaka directly from London.

A hectic schedule awaits the Sri Lankan cricket team starting with the tour of Bangladesh. Soon after the two Tests, the team will play back-to-back series against Australia and Pakistan at home involving all three formats. This will be followed by the Asia Cup at home and the World Cup in Australia.