Moose CEO and Brandix Director Hasib Omar (second from left) presenting the team sponsorship for the T20 World Cup to Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva. Sri Lanka Head Coach Chris Silverwood, Sri Lanka Captain Dasun Shanaka and Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva are also present

• Sri Lanka leave for Australia tomorrow for T20 World Cup

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Both captain Dasun Shanaka and head coach Chris Silverwood were of the view that Sri Lanka having to play three qualifying first round matches in addition to two warm-up games ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup Super12 would be to their advantage.

Due to their poor ICC T20 rankings Sri Lanka failed to gain automatic qualification into the Super12 of the 2022 T20 World Cup, but that has now turned to their benefit as it gives them an opportunity to acclimatise to the Australian conditions and wickets before the tournament proper.

Sri Lanka are leaving for Australia tomorrow – nearly two weeks ahead of their first warm-up match against Zimbabwe at the MCG on 10 October. They are due to play another warm-up match against Ireland on 13 October also at Melbourne before commencing the T20 World Cup first round Group A matches at Geelong against Namibia (16 October), UAE (18 October) and Netherlands (20 October). The top two teams in the group qualify for the Super12.

“The last T20 World Cup (in UAE) we played the qualifying round and got into the tournament proper. Because we adapted to the ground conditions we had an advantage. The five matches which we are due to play in Australia will be to our advantage because we can read the conditions and the wickets going into the Super12,” said Shanaka at a media briefing held at SLC headquarters yesterday.

“From ground to ground the dimensions change, the bowlers need a lot of variations. They cannot succeed with one or two variations. We must prepare well for it. The bowlers have an idea of what is expected of them. 

“The batsmen, we have spoken about how the top order batsmen are going to play in the power play. We have set a good standard in fielding and our intention is to take our processes forward. I am always concerned about the process, it all depends on the day how you deliver. If we make the right decisions and do the right things on that day we can win.”

Shanaka said that having three fast bowlers bowling at 140 plus in the squad was a big advantage for him as captain. “We never had three bowlers of extreme pace in the team. With their variations and skills, we can expect something big from them in Australian conditions. I expect Wanindu Hasaranga to play a big part. The last time we were in Australia he played a big role. He became ranked no. 1 ranked bowling in all kinds of conditions, not only in Australia.”

Questioned whether winning the Asia Cup would be an added burden to the team going into the World Cup, Shanaka responded, “The Asia Cup is just another tournament. We are not preparing ourselves for the World Cup with that in mind. It’s now history. 

“If we try to prepare with the Asia Cup victory in mind we can easily lose our focus. I thought in the camp the players would be relaxed having won the Asia Cup, but it was not so. Everyone practiced like always. As a team the players are prepared to do something big in the World Cup.”

Head coach Silverwood accepted the fact that going through the qualifying round was a blessing in disguise for the team, but added: “At the same time you have to treat the teams with the same respect like you would against teams like India, Australia or England. We have to beat them, we have to make sure we do well. To me as a team we really should instil our disciplines and make 

sure we win.”

“There are always areas to improve like setting totals which we did really well in the final (Asia Cup). It is something we haven’t done a great deal and something for us to think about. Equally, the bowling, we are still working on the yorkers to make it successful on Australian wickets. There is constant work in progress.”

“What has impressed me most are quite a few things. Firstly, their willingness to learn, willingness to adapt and try new things which is really refreshing. You’ve seen the results of that. The camaraderie in the team. When I arrived, I said the talent was awesome, I think they have shown us on the big stage against big teams as well. It’s a combination of all these things put together that makes it an exciting prospect.”

Silverwood said there are lots of expectations at home to win the World Cup. “Everybody is behind us, the nation is behind us. For me, it’s a positive thing we can use as energy.”

The event also saw the announcement of Moose Clothing Company coming forward as the team sponsor of the Sri Lanka team for the T20 World Cup.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup winner to get $ 1.6 million