Nathan Lyon is predicting big things from Australia on his fourth Ashes tour. DANIEL CHERNY reports on the veteran spinner’s pre-series declaration and his response to Stuart Broad’s recent dig.
The 35-year-old meanwhile says he has “no end in sight” as he approaches the 500 Test wicket milestone.
Australia has not won an away Test series in England – let alone complete a 5-0 romp – since 2001, but that didn’t stop Lyon from making a bold call that the Aussies could thrash the old enemy in the upcoming series, which is less than a month away.
Winning in England will be no easy task for Lyon and the Australians. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images
“I’m confident heading over there,” Lyon said during Australia’s training camp ahead of the series, which follows the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval.
“I think our squad should be really proud about the work that we‘ve done over the last 24 months. I think it’s been an incredible journey and something that we should be really proud about. But this is a new challenge. And I’m looking forward to going over there and I’m extremely confident.”
Despite a tough tour in India, Lyon says he feels physically ready for what lies ahead in England. Picture: Punit Paranjpe/AFP
Pressed on whether 5-0 was doable, Lyon responded in the affirmative: “100 per cent. There’s your headline.”
While the off-spinner has mixed memories from his previous Ashes tour, having famously fumbled in the closing stages of the one-wicket loss at Headingley, his overall Test record in England is more than sound, with 45 wickets at 31.62.
And having not missed a Test since being recalled midway through the 2013 series in England, the durable Lyon said he was feeling fit and showing no signs of waning. If anything, the man with 482 Test wickets to his name said he was looking to improve.
“There’s no end in sight for me. I still feel like I can get better. And I feel like coming up here working with (coaches) John Davison and Dan Vettori yesterday, I feel like I’m still learning about the art of off-break bowling,“ Lyon said.
“I’m trying to get a lot more consistent and trying to get my stock ball even better with a few variations as well.”
Stuart Broad stoked the fire ahead of the series with his ‘void’ comments. Picture: David Gray/AFP
Having served his own salvo about the prospect of a whitewash, Lyon also responded to England star Stuart Broad’s recent claim in The Daily Mail that Australia’s 4-0 series win at home in 2021-22 was “void” because it was played in oppressive conditions because of Covid-19 restrictions.
“I’m counting it as 4-0,” Lyon said.
“But to be honest with you, everyone was doing it very hard in the world. But we’re very lucky in what we do and we should be extremely grateful that we’re out there playing a sport that we love in an amazing country.
“That’s his opinion, he’s trying to get under our feathers.”
Lyon added that he is prepared for whatever flack may come his way from the often-hostile English crowds during the series.
“I know I’m going to get a lot of feedback from English fans. Positive, negative, whatever it may be.”
Lyon is looking forward to resuming hostilities with the English fans yet again. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images
England is dealing with fitness concerns as captain Ben Stokes recovers from a toe injury, which has led to him not playing in the Indian Premier League since April 3.
The Times reported that England is considering pushing Stokes to the top of the order given serious doubts about his capacity to bowl during the summer. It comes as paceman Jimmy Anderson deals with a “mild” groin strain sustained playing county cricket, while firebrand Jofra Archer recovers from an elbow issue.
England has a one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s before the Ashes begins at Edgbaston.