ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2022

October 25, 2022

Chris Silverwood

Perth Stadium

Sri Lanka

Post Match Media Conference

Australia 158/3, Sri Lanka 157/6

Q. Chris, it looked like competitive, the score, until of course Stoinis arrived?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: Yeah, we have to give Stoinis credit there. The way he came in and played was exceptional. He showed how much power he had, and obviously made life very difficult for us. We knew that Australia had to come hard at us, obviously, because of the run rate and what have you, but he played superbly well, so credit to him.

Q. Was there a ploy for Stoinis, or he just took off and nobody had an idea?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: No, there was always a ploy. We had plans, obviously very put together, but as with anything, the players are allowed to play well, and today was his day, the way he came back at us and obviously struck the ball. Again, he was exceptional. He took the fight to us.

Q. Just another injury to your pace stocks. What can you tell us about that? Is there a black cat around, something like that? Just so much bad luck there?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: No, obviously we're having a bit of bad luck around injuries at the moment, especially, as you said, in the pace stock. We'll obviously assess him. The physio is working with him now and the doctor, so we'll find out exactly the extent of injury to start with and we'll have to make some decisions from there.

Q. Seemed like he touched his hamstring?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: Yes, his hamstring.

Q. The plan to Aaron Finch today, seemed like whatever you guys were doing was working. Was he just having an off night, or was it more so do you think just good bowling to him?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: Well, I'd like to think we made life difficult for him. Obviously there's a little bit in the wicket there with some good pace, and obviously there's extra bounce here in Perth. But for our fast bowlers, two of them made it very difficult for him to score runs.

But still, he stayed there, and obviously played the foil for a few guys to bat around him, as well. But I was pleased with our fast bowlers and how we bowled at him.

Q. So much focus on Australia, England and New Zealand in this group. Just based on how you guys went and you pushed Australia, what role do you see your team playing in this group, and how do you see the next few games pan out for you?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: Yeah, I truly believe that we can not only challenge in this group but come out victorious, as well. I think we've shown that we have the capabilities, and I think we've shown that we have the skills within the group, and I think if we play to our potential, we can run anybody close.

We showed that. We showed that in the Asia Cup. The confidence is growing within the group.

Obviously the important thing from today is to make sure that we regroup and get ready for the next game and we come back strong.

Q. We saw New Zealand really take the attack to Australia early on; was that part of your plan at all? Conditions were different, of course, or did you have to just back the strengths that you have and play accordingly?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: Yeah, I think we did. The question was always what do we do well and how do we use what we have got, and I think from a batting perspective the guys at the top of the order set a platform nicely for us to go off from there.

Obviously we lost two or three wickets towards the back end, which slowed us down again, but I can't fault the way the guys at the top of the order played because the ball did move around early on. Life was difficult for us, and clearly we're not used to that sort of bounce that we get here at Perth.

I think the way that they went about their business. Again, to set that platform, we did very well.

Q. Personally how much are you looking forward to that matchup against England?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: I knew that was going to come up. I think it'll be a great game. Obviously it'll be great to catch up with a few old friends there, as well.

But from a personal point of view, I'll be going into that game the same and preparing for that game the same as I would for any other really. It's a game that we must win, so we'll do our due diligence. We'll prep for it. We'll make sure we practise well. We'll try and meet them head on, but we know that they're a good team and it's going to be hard work, so we've got to be prepared for them.

Q. It's been a pretty tough travel for the team. Are they feeling pretty weary at the moment?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: Obviously it's been hectic at times and obviously we're traveling around a lot, but it's the same for everybody really, so it's something that you've just got to get used to. You've got to try and plan the best you can with training, give people rest, and make sure you're maximizing the time that you have, again, for both rest and preparation. You do the best you can with what you've got really.

Q. For the game against New Zealand, they know the conditions very well, just like Australia. Will you start similar or will you change something for New Zealand?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: First and foremost, we have to take stock of who we will have available to start with, so once we've done that, once we see where our players are at, then obviously we'll assess the conditions to where we're going and we'll make the plans from there.

Q. Basically asking about Wanindu Hasaranga, a very fine bowler, but he has gone for a few runs of late in a few matches. Anyone can have a bad day, but what do you say about that?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: I think you've sort of answered the question really. He is a fine bowler. We know that. He's a match winner in his own right. Unfortunately he's had a bad day today, and it's not through lack of trying or preparation. We'll work with him. We'll build him back up. We'll give him the support he deserves, and obviously he will work hard and will bounce back from this, I'm sure.

Q. Basically can you tell us how the team is decided and how the team will cope with the injuries and what you are thinking going ahead in the tournament, how you cope with the injuries that are happening in the team?

CHRIS SILVERWOOD: Well, I mean, any injury in a team obviously in a World Cup is hard work. Obviously we will take stock of where everybody is at the moment and make plans from there. It's too early to make too many -- get too many answers at the moment, so we will just have to obviously see where the guys are, and once the physio gives a report we will make plans, but it's too early to say too much at the moment.