Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Coach Silverwood wants Shanaka, Dhananjaya 'to provide firepower' as finishers

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Friday, 08 September 2023 07:53
Sri Lanka know they have issues at Nos. 6 and 7 - their batters in those positions have been frequently unable to deliver big finishes. But those batters are working hard to provide that firepower, says coach Chris Silverwood.
At the moment, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka's incumbent No. 6, averages 26.04 and strikes at 74.93 at that position. Their captain Dasun Shanaka, currently the No. 7, averages 25.43 and strikes at 86.59 there. Both sets of figures fall well short of those of the best finishers in world cricket.

"Dasun is working very hard at the moment, as he always does," Silverwood said ahead of Sri Lanka's Asia Cup Super Four match against Bangladesh. "We're working hard with him at the moment so he can get the runs that we know he can.

"We think at No. 7 he can make real strong contributions for us, and help build on the good starts that we've been getting. We've been getting into positions we could launch from, and it'd be great to see Dasun really hurt the opposition and get us over that 300 mark."

Like Shanaka, who has led a white-ball resurgence for the team despite his own batting form, Dhananjaya also has other attributes. Not only does he often deliver reliable overs through the middle period, but he has also developed a reputation for rebuilding the innings if the top order falls cheaply - something Silverwood pointed out.

"With the two of them sat at [Nos.] 6 and 7, we want them to provide firepower. It's not just a case of going out there and slogging. It's about doing it their way, and hitting their strong shots. And making sure that they have a clear plan of how they're going to execute that. As we've seen in the past, Dhananjaya has been very good at getting us out of a hole, and getting us to a score that we can then defend."

In an Asia Cup that has so far been a showcase of excellent fast bowling, though, Silverwood singled out Bangladesh's seamers as a particular threat ahead of Saturday's match. The tracks in Colombo are expected to be slower than in Pallekele, but with rain around, the quick bowlers might nevertheless have big roles to play.

"I think Bangladesh have got a very strong bowling unit. From what I've seen so far, in this competition, I've been very impressed with them - particularly the pace bowlers," Silverwood said. "They're big, they're strong, they're accurate, and they get movement. We have to make sure we prepare well and make sure that every batter on our side has a plan on how to cope with every bowler on their side.

"We've been watching Bangladesh and preparing well. It's a different surface here compared to Kandy. We'll have to make sure that our combinations are right for this wicket."

Read 109 times

Soccer

Fermín signs new Barça deal with 500m clause

Fermín signs new Barça deal with 500m clause

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona have rewarded Fermín López's early-season form with a new...

Bundesliga leaders Leipzig will put Dortmund's faith in Şahin to the test

Bundesliga leaders Leipzig will put Dortmund's faith in Şahin to the test

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBorussia Dortmund have again dominated the German football headline...

Messi: Had to reinvent my style due to age, MLS

Messi: Had to reinvent my style due to age, MLS

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLionel Messi acknowledged he has reinvented his style of play since...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Magic's Banchero questionable vs. Cavs

Sources: Magic's Banchero questionable vs. Cavs

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOrlando Magic star Paolo Banchero has sustained a right abdominal s...

The quiet free agent signing who could finally unlock KD, Booker and the Suns' Big 3

The quiet free agent signing who could finally unlock KD, Booker and the Suns' Big 3

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFOR MOST OF his 13 years in the NBA, Bradley Beal has had a good se...

Baseball

Rays' Franco sexual abuse trial to begin Dec. 12

Rays' Franco sexual abuse trial to begin Dec. 12

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco's trial in the Dominican Rep...

Passan: How the World Series champion Dodgers validated their era of dominance

Passan: How the World Series champion Dodgers validated their era of dominance

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Two days before the Los Angeles Dodgers' postseason beg...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated