“We’re training about three pitches over on the center wicket (block) and it wasn’t spinning that much,” said Lyon
Australia player Nathan Lyon said the pitch that could be used for the opening game against Pakistan, was a flat, grassless track, resembling wickets in the UAE with spinner domination in those conditions.
Australia off-spin bowler Nathan Lyon said the pitch that could be used for the opening game against Pakistan, as observed during the practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, was a flat, grassless track, resembling wickets in the UAE with spinner domination in those conditions.
“We’re training about three pitches over on the center wicket (block) and it wasn’t spinning that much,”
Lyon said on Wednesday (March 2).
“I know we’ve got a little bit more grass on the wicket we’re training on compared to what looks like the match wicket. The (Test) surface looks similar to a UAE wicket at the moment. There’s not much grass on it, I daresay it’s going to be pretty shiny come day one. So I’m expecting it to be pretty nice to bat on for the first couple of days then look for it to hopefully spin, and reverse swing may come into it.”
Lyon further explained that the conditions will push the national panel chair George Bailey, interim coach Andrew McDonald, and skipper Pat Cummins into difficulty when it comes to picking the playing XI for the first test. Will they go for two quicks to join Cummins or pick an additional spinner to Lyon from Ashton Agar or Mitchell Swepson.
“Both Mitch and Ash are bowling extremely well, and if you look at our top order we’ve got guys like Marnus (Labuschagne) and Smithy (Steve Smith) and Travis (Head) who can bowl spin as well.
“So we’re very lucky in that area, and it’s not just this tour we’re focused on. It’s a massive 12 months for the Australian cricket team and we’ve got a lot of subcontinent tours in Pakistan, Sri Lanka (later this year), and into India (early 2023) as well. So there will be a lot of opportunities for not just myself and Sweppo to stand up, but other players as well.”
The last time Australia visited Pakistan was in 1998, under Mark Taylor’s captaincy. While the last two series Australia played against Pakistan were in Dubai and Abu Dhabi where Pakistan picked up three big wins while Australia managed one draw.
It must be noted that Australia will play three Tests, three ODIs, and a T20I against Pakistan. Rawalpindi will host the first test game while Karachi and Lahore will also host the second and third games respectively. The white-ball series will be played in Rawalpindi from March 29 to April 5.
“We haven’t played an away Test since 2019 so it’s going to be a big challenge,”
he said.
“But it’s a very young, exciting Australian Test squad we’ve got here and we’re coming off a pretty spectacular summer at home that’s given the group a lot of confidence. We’re working hard, we’re training hard and I’m going into this Test series … to win three-nil, that’s purely just my mindset.”