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Silverwood's Australia nightmare continues

3 minute read

Sri Lanka's 10-wicket loss in Galle has marked the third time in four matches that coach Chris Silverwood has been beaten inside three days by Australia.

Chris Silverwood must be sick of the sight of Australia.

Sick of seeing Australia win, and more than anything fed up with watching them do it so quickly.

Sri Lanka's demise on Friday marked the third time in four games that one of Silverwood's teams have been beaten inside three days by Australia.

The first two came with England last summer, trounced at both the MCG and Hobart as Australia romped to a 4-0 Ashes success.

Questions were asked over England's tactics and selections, ultimately costing Silverwood his job.

At Sri Lanka, things are slightly different.

Sri Lanka's batters are an experienced group, who as far as Silverwood is concerned, just didn't execute.

In the first innings they didn't dictate terms, let Australia take control and eventually became fodder on a spinning wicket.

In the second, they tried to take on Australia's bowlers but didn't execute, bowled out for 113 in 22.5 overs.

Silverwood's bowlers meanwhile lack experience, and it showed in the 10-wicket loss.

Their frontline spinner Lasith Embuldeniya failed to claim a wicket, after being dropped on the most recent tour of Bangladesh in favourable conditions.

The hosts also only bowled Dhananjaya de Silva for five overs, spin coach Piyal Wijetunga admitting he should have been used more.

Ramesh Mendis was Sri Lanka's best, but he by no means matched the levels of Nathan Lyon for Australia.

Sri Lanka now have a week to decide where to go next before Friday's second Test.

Teenager Dunith Wellalage is in the squad as a standby player, while mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana is not despite troubling Australia in the one-dayers.

"Our spinners failed to put pressure on oppositions," Silverwood admitted.

"We failed to push them. We found their spinners put pressure on us and made life difficult.

"Batsmen have to score runs and put pressure on, and when they are bowling well, it's difficult.

"Their batsmen faired pretty well. We missed out on 50 runs with the bat and gave away 50 more and we need to learn from these things."

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