Coach Chris Silverwood mentioned Sri Lanka can be doing their best to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) ultimate throughout their two-match collection in New Zealand to present the folk again house one thing to cheer about.
Sri Lanka, who’re 3rd within the WTC ratings at the back of already certified Australia and India, will wish to beat the reigning Test champion Black Caps 2-0 to have a possibility of taking part in in June’s ultimate at The Oval.
India may take issues out of Sri Lankan palms with a win in its fourth Test in opposition to Australia subsequent week however Silverwood mentioned the staff can be decided to benefit from any slip as much as carry the spirits of an embattled country.
“It would mean everything to them,” he mentioned in Christchurch forward of a excursion recreation in opposition to a New Zealand XI. “The country has been through a bit recently and we know the spirits are really lifted when the cricket team is doing well.
“The guys are very conscious about that and take that duty very critically, so they’re going to be determined to present them one thing to grin about again at house.
“To get to the WTC Final would be unbelievable, but at the same time we know we’ve got a very good New Zealand team in front of us as well and we have to respect that, work hard, and try and earn that right.”
Sri Lanka, who’re 3rd within the WTC ratings at the back of already certified Australia and India, will wish to beat the reigning Test champion Black Caps 2-0 to have a possibility of taking part in in June’s ultimate at The Oval.
India may take issues out of Sri Lankan palms with a win in its fourth Test in opposition to Australia subsequent week however Silverwood mentioned the staff can be decided to benefit from any slip as much as carry the spirits of an embattled country.
“It would mean everything to them,” he mentioned in Christchurch forward of a excursion recreation in opposition to a New Zealand XI. “The country has been through a bit recently and we know the spirits are really lifted when the cricket team is doing well.
“The guys are very conscious about that and take that duty very critically, so they’re going to be determined to present them one thing to grin about again at house.
“To get to the WTC Final would be unbelievable, but at the same time we know we’ve got a very good New Zealand team in front of us as well and we have to respect that, work hard, and try and earn that right.”
Sri Lanka is grappling with its worst financial disaster since gaining independence from Britain in 1948, beset via inflation, a scarcity of foreign currencies, a plummeting forex and a steep recession.
The vacationers will play a younger New Zealand XI over the weekend at Bert Sutcliffe Oval to organize for the outlet Test in opposition to New Zealand at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval beginning subsequent Thursday.
“We’re looking to get as ready as possible for the first Test match, we want to hit the road running and do what we have to make sure we prep well here,” Silverwood added.
“We want to make sure the batsmen get a good hit and get used to the conditions and that the bowlers get overs under their belts as well.”