If he returned to the Lions, the Chorley player said he would need reassurances regarding his position.
Sri Lanka’s 34-year-old batsman last played a Test match in Australia in January 2019.
Silva was missed for the Bangladesh tour last year despite being called up for following selections.
The prolific domestic run scorer quit international cricket to play league cricket in England.
Chorley won the T20 Cup last summer after he joined. He returned to Windsor Park this year and led them to second place in the Northern Premier League.
Silva may no longer represent his country after his 35th birthday.
His absence from the national squad has sparked discussion in his hometown.
Silva did not disappoint when he eventually got his shot at the top level.
A determined unbeaten 74 in the second innings on debut helped Sri Lanka draw with Virat Kohli-inspired India in Delhi.
He scored a century and two half-centuries against Bangladesh in his next two matches.
Silva scored 702 runs for his country at 35.20 with two half-centuries against England in 2018.
Silva, a father of two, averages around 50 in First Class cricket back home. I couldn’t play. It was challenging because while you’re on the national team, you can’t play with your local team or see your family. I couldn’t play cricket or do what I wanted.
It was stressful. Because I traveled with the national team, I couldn’t play for my club for two years.
I felt like I was squandering and missing time.
“Last year I declared, ‘Okay, I’m done wasting my time sitting on the bench. I want to play cricket since I’m skilled at scoring runs.”
Players and national team management look to be at odds.
Silva, who was playing for Chorley, was ordered to come home and rejoin the Sri Lanka side within 24 hours last summer, which he refused.
He stated the Sri Lankan Board called and asked who informed him he could go to England and that they wanted him back.
“I said I would come back because this is my nation, I want to play for my county but I said if you keep wasting my time, having me put on the bench then I don’t want to come back.
They informed me I would play against Bangladesh and wanted me back within 24 hours.
“I promised to return but not immediately.
“They said if I didn’t come back within 24 hours, they would pick someone else, so I said that’s up to you.”
“I gave 100% every time I played for my national team, my club team.”
Silva’s age and the Sri Lankan Board’s youth agenda have been cited as reasons for his recent neglect.
The Chorleybatsman is frustrated because he waited a long time for his moment and feels he is at his best.
Interestingly, Sri Lanka tours England next year, and if Silva performs well in English circumstances this summer and leads Chorley to triumph, the selectors may call on him again.
Silva remarked, “I don’t know honestly if I will get called up for that.” “I played for Coleraine Cricket Club in Northern Ireland in 2016, then Sri Lanka A called me up for their tour of England and Ireland.
I performed well for the A squad on the tour because of my club cricket experience with Coleraine.
“Then I got my first national team call-up. It benefited me, but I don’t sure if the selectors will seek for English experience.
“But I don’t know, I’m neither retired nor dropped from the team.”
Silva will always be proud of his Sri Lankan debut persona.
The batsman made his Test debut against India in Delhi in December 2017.
Virat Kohli has dominated the three-match series.
Kohli, a legendary batsman, scored over 600 runs in the three Tests, including two double centuries.
With a 1-0 series lead, the hosts were targeting another win in Delhi.
Kohli’s 243 in the first innings gave India the lead, forcing the tourists to score 401 to win.
Sri Lanka entered the last day behind 31-3.
Silva and another batsman dug in on the final day, saving the Lions.
In difficult conditions, he batted for over three hours and scored 74 not out.
He thwarted the hosts with match-saving partnerships with Dhananjaya de Silva (119) and Niroshan Dickwella (44 not out).
Silva’s stoicism was especially commendable when he was dismissed for a duck by Ravichandran Ashwin after three deliveries in the first session.
Silva remarked, “A few days before my debut, I didn’t feel pressure or nervous.” I was grateful for the chance.
I had butterflies the remainder of the game after getting out for a duck.
After the first innings, I was nervous because I wanted to establish my worth. We saved the match in the second innings.”