Chris Silverwood says it is 'nice' to see Australia under pressure after India defeat

By Stephan ShemiltBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Cricketcomments179

Chris Silverwood
Chris Silverwood took over as England coach in 2019
Sri Lanka v England, second Test
Venue: Galle Date: 22-26 January Time: 04:30 GMT
Coverage: Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport website. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app.

England coach Chris Silverwood says it is "always nice to see the opposition under pressure" following Australia's stunning series defeat by India.

India chased a Gabba record 328 to inflict Australia's first defeat in Brisbane since 1988 and win a memorable series 2-1.

England will attempt to regain the Ashes in Australia later this year.

"It shows that if we do the basics well and get stuck in, we can beat them," said Silverwood.

Australia captain Tim Paine has come in for criticism over his leadership, wicketkeeping and behaviour during the contest with India.

Although he averaged more than 40 with the bat, Paine's keeping contained a number of errors and he was forced to apologise for his sledging of the Indians during the third Test in Sydney.

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan told BBC Sport: "Tim Paine, tactically, has not quite been at the races, so pressure will be on him.

"I think he'll be the captain for the Ashes, but there's a little area that England can really work on by putting pressure on him."

On Paine, Silverwood said: "Tim Paine's captaincy is nothing to do with me, but it's always nice to see opposition teams under pressure."

England play nine Tests against India before the Ashes, the first four of which are in India following Joe Root's side's current series in Sri Lanka.

India have not lost a home series since England won there in 2012, with a 4-0 defeat on the subsequent visit in 2016 proving to be Alastair Cook's last series as England captain.

Having won their first Test against Sri Lanka by seven wickets, Silverwood stressed the importance of winning the second Test to secure the series and build momentum for the India challenge.

"If we can go into that series with a 2-0 win it would do us a world of good," said Silverwood. "All being well by the time we get to India we'll have hit our straps fully and be ready to hit the first game hard."

The result in Brisbane has left India top of the World Test Championship table, ahead of New Zealand, with the top two qualifying for the final in England next summer.

England, in fourth, need to beat Sri Lanka and secure a big win in India to have any chance of advancing.

Silverwood confirmed that Moeen Ali, who is out of isolation after testing positive for coronavirus, is unlikely to play on Friday, but all-rounder Chris Woakes is available after isolating for being deemed a close contact.

England are likely to stick with only two frontline spinners in Dom Bess and Jack Leach, but could rotate their fast bowlers.

Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and Sam Curran played in the first Test, with James Anderson, Olly Stone and Woakes options for the second.

Of Stone, who has played only one previous Test, Silverwood said: "I'm excited about him.

"We've got Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Olly Stone who can all bowl over 90mph. It's great to have that in the armoury.

"Olly hits the deck hard and bowls with pace. He's getting better and better with the areas he's bowling, the understanding of what he's trying to do and the plans he's putting in place."

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179 comments

  • Comment posted by yeah ok, at 12:21 20 Jan

    What is Silverwood doing ?

    England are in the middle of a series against Sri Lanka and next they play India. Concentrate on that lot please instead of silly mind games with the Aussies

    • Reply posted by rhys, at 14:31 20 Jan

      rhys replied:
      I'm sure he is. Not the first bloke to say something goofy when a microphone is thrust in his face. I see Spoons as an honest straight up, not too media savvy, decent coach.
      He won't be underestimating India at all

  • Comment posted by Perton66, at 12:21 20 Jan

    Are Australia our only opponents then? I think CS needs to focus on what is in front of him, i.e. Sri Lanka, India (twice) and possibly New Zealand. Show a bit of respect to other test playing nations - not all of us believe that the Ashes are the be all and end all. The media don't help either.

    • Reply posted by duncan brownley, at 12:49 20 Jan

      duncan brownley replied:
      Let us guess the Satellite companies and their media off shoots looking at causing strife and promoting the clash. As the revenue needed for their subscriptions.

      Them days of 3+5 Test series battles are declining with all the countries. Now it's the chosen few to gain coverage

      Sport needs to survive but how is the question just keep rotating the Big Country Tests or promotion with the minors too

  • Comment posted by 931035, at 10:58 20 Jan

    As an England supporter, I really hope Paine is still captain and wicketkeeper for the Ashes.

  • Comment posted by splendidsparrow, at 11:40 20 Jan

    Tim Paine Could be heard on the stump mic sledging Pant as the batsman prepared to face the bowler. At one point, Paine asked, "Do you babysit?" Paine was reprimanded for his unsportsmanlike conduct.

    Throughout the series, the Aussie wicketkeeper dropped costly catches and allowed numerous byes.

    On the other hand, the opposing captain remained calm. There will be changes for the tour of SA.

    • Reply posted by KentAussie, at 11:47 20 Jan

      KentAussie replied:
      That was from India’s previous tour...

  • Comment posted by Dolphin, at 11:43 20 Jan

    Smith. I was not cheating. Come on Pinocchio.

    • Reply posted by Brass Eye, at 11:47 20 Jan

      Brass Eye replied:
      Is that a bat you are holding or is it your nose and are pleased to see me.

  • Comment posted by jkm, at 11:34 20 Jan

    England play India 9 times before they even step foot in Australia - think Chris Silverwood ought to focus on that and Sri Lanka first, else England could be in a similar position heading down under on the back foot

  • Comment posted by Hostamosta, at 11:40 20 Jan

    If the Australians played with better grace, we might not be so rude about them! No other team is consistently as aggressive. But perhaps that is why they are often so strong. I prefer the humbler approach taken by most other sides though.

    • Reply posted by gogunners, at 12:33 20 Jan

      gogunners replied:
      As an Aussie we are portrayed as convicts. Not our fault. You sent the ships out. We were shackled and cat-nine-taled. No wonder were a bit agro.

  • Comment posted by Oodagh Thunkitt, at 11:14 20 Jan

    Nice to see the opposition under pressure ... but that's pressure from the next opposition, who were missing half their leading players - so watch out!

    • Reply posted by rhys, at 14:29 20 Jan

      rhys replied:
      It's a throw away comment from an honest bloke, I wouldn't read too much in to it

  • Comment posted by confuse-us, at 13:32 20 Jan

    I wouldn't arrange fixtures so teams play 5 tests against each other and then another 5 against same opponents in the reverse location about 6 months later. Surely better to stagger things a bit more - 2 years apart. bit more variety

    • Reply posted by duncan brownley, at 13:38 20 Jan

      duncan brownley replied:
      Like the yesteryears this was happening and it worked.

      Now though more coverage via Sky has created 24/7 and nearly 365 days of Cricket in varied forms.

      Obviously blessed here for the Grounds staff working steadily through the Winter to prep wickets then summer time to carry on. Where as the Countries with better weather virtually having to work non stop in prep work for the matches.

  • Comment posted by gcostanza, at 10:49 20 Jan

    I think it will be a great series between Eng and India. Remember England are the last team to win a series in India. Will be interesting and perhaps challenging to see how India integrate these new heroes into their first XI.

    • Reply posted by Hostamosta, at 11:41 20 Jan

      Hostamosta replied:
      And with India now relying more on seam bowlers, hopefully the pitches will be more to our own team's liking.

  • Comment posted by Fr Aidan , at 12:40 20 Jan

    I really do not understand why Silverwood has come out and said this. We go to India first, who are clearly not struggling! And we're in the middle of a series against somebody else altogether! Concentrate on that first! We were a Root masterclass away from being embarrassed in Galle. 100 runs short again having lost 6 for 50 odd at the end of the innings. Concentrate on what we are doing first!

    • Reply posted by 931035, at 17:10 20 Jan

      931035 replied:
      He said it because somebody asked him a question about it, as usual with these out-of-context quotes that people like to get upset about. It's part of his job to talk to the media and answer questions.

  • Comment posted by ALAW, at 12:21 20 Jan

    Sure this won't come back to bite him when we get mullered in India then get mullered by them in the England.

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 12:08 20 Jan

    One series at a time, let's see how Sri Lanka react in the 2nd Test, then the Indians are waiting, then the Aussies.

  • Comment posted by Cricket Fan, at 12:03 20 Jan

    English fans should hope Australia to have Paine as their captain to have any chance of beating them.

  • Comment posted by Football Jim, at 10:56 20 Jan

    Olly Stone for Mark Wood for second test.

    • Reply posted by Timefiller, at 11:48 20 Jan

      Timefiller replied:
      Yes apparently he's looking good. Plus maybe Anderson for Broad just for rotation.

  • Comment posted by SirLesPatterson, at 20:17 20 Jan

    I disagree about the day-nighter in Adelaide. The conditions suit the England bowlers. In the evening sessions the ball swings like....Headingley.
    It's also an amazing spectacle. Come over some time and have a beer at the Cathedral Hotel. All welcome

    • Reply posted by Dreadlock Holiday, at 20:20 20 Jan

      Dreadlock Holiday replied:
      We absolutely should have won at Adelaide last time. Choked.

  • Comment posted by SirLesPatterson, at 17:33 20 Jan

    Yer I remember the good old days
    Jardine: "Take that chin music you colonial upstart"
    The Don: "Is that the best you can do you posh git."
    Jardine: "Wait til we get you at Lords.."
    Larwood: "More of the same, sir?"
    Jardine: "Take his insufferable head off!"
    Larwood: "Whatever you say, sir."
    Those were the days..

    • Reply posted by duncan brownley, at 17:35 20 Jan

      duncan brownley replied:
      Glass of Port later in the Billiards room at 8.00.

  • Comment posted by willlucv, at 16:23 20 Jan

    One thing Australia definitely are capable of is upping their game, especially when they are playing England, I'd suggest we say nothing now and let our cricket do the talking. Apart from 2010/11 our track record down there has been a bit underwhelming.

    • Reply posted by duncan brownley, at 16:28 20 Jan

      duncan brownley replied:
      Everyone ups their game v England in any sport and yes fair comment.

      Like anything as we say let's do the talking in the pitch as Actions speak louder than words.

      This is what the media want and we keep quiet their be plenty of negative English Press going for the Team in fact any press will.

      As you say take it let it bounce off the ear defenders and ignore.

  • Comment posted by Chiefs1, at 15:46 20 Jan

    Watching India beat the Aussies was great. It shows what England have to do.

    I do however think that England’s victory over Sri Lanka gives false hope. With the exception of Root and Bairstow I think our batsmen will really struggle in India (spin) and Australia (pace).

  • Comment posted by Alan, at 12:41 20 Jan

    Were I the England coach, I wouldn’t be lighting too many fires re. Aus just yet - we have the small matter of taking on their victors in their own back yard over a 4 match series - let’s get our mind on that first.

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