Nathan Lyon

SL vs AUS: “We Are Not There Yet As A Great Australian Team”- Nathan Lyon Highlights Australia’s Next Target After Retaining Muralidaran-Warne Trophy

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Australian cricket team is going through a purple patch in Test cricket. We all witnessed how the mighty Aussies dethroned Sri Lanka in 1st Test match & registered their biggest victory in sub continent by an innings & 242 runs. Nathan Lyon was the wrecker in chief who took 7 wickets in the match. Not many know that Nathan Lyon made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2011 Test series which Australia won by 1-0.

Sri Lanka need to go back to the drawing board as the 2nd Test match is scheduled on 6th February at Galle (*same venue). It won’t be wrong to say that the island nation batters’ got intimidated against novice spinners Matthew Kuhnemann & Todd Murhpy. Perhaps, the hosts need to take a leaf out of Usman Khawaja’s & Steven Smith’s knocks who used their feet and didn’t allowed the bowlers to settle in.

We want to become a great Australian team- Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon was having an interaction with the reporters ahead of 2nd Test match. Nathan Lyon surprised anyone that current team hasn’t achieved greatness despite winning ICC WTC 2021-23 mace, BGT 2024-25 trophy after 10 years. Nathan Lyon pointed out that he wants to win Test series in India which is in 2027 & Ashes 2027.

“We want to become a great Australian team. We’re on that journey, we’re not there yet. That’s our end goal. Part of that journey is making sure that when we close the window, we nail it shut. It’s all about being ruthless and doing our best thing for long periods of time,” said Nathan Lyon.

There’s a few things [Australia needs to achieve]. This is only me and my thoughts as well. We’ve got some great players within that change-room, there’s no point hiding behind that. 100 percent, We’re going okay, but I still feel like we’ve got a lot of improvement to do. That’s about being ruthless. ” he added.

Steep road ahead for Australia

The problem for Australia is that they don’t have like for like replacement for Nathan Lyon who as of now is 37 years old. Playing another 2 years of competitive cricket won’t at all be easy. The statements made by Nathan Lyon reflect that the team still has the hunger to succeed in different conditions and not is concerned with only home Test series wins & ICC WTC triumphs.

Australia haven’t won Test series in India since 2004 which seems a long way back. If we talk about winning Test series in England, the last time they had won was way back in 2005. There’s no doubt that Australia have retained the Ashes twice both in 2019 (*2-2) & 2023 (*2-2) but on both the occasions, they weren’t a force to reckon with throughout the series.

Todd Murphy & Matthew Kuhnemann are pushing me to get better as well- Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon said that Toddy Murphy, he himself & Matthew Kuhnemann are spinners with complete different mindsets. Lyon also mentioned that he was learning from Todd Murphy and said that the spin duo of Murphy & Kuhnemann are improving his game.

“We’re three totally different bowlers with three totally different mindsets as well. I feel like I’m learning off Todd and Matt, and I feel like they’re pushing me to try and get better as well. Hopefully I’m passing on a little bit of knowledge here and there,” said Nathan Lyon.

New Spin Trio for Australia

Out of the 20 wickets which Australian team took; Lyon, Kuhnemann & Murphy took 17 wickets which is immense. We should not forget after the 2nd Test match against Sri Lanka, the defending ICC WTC champions don’t have a single Test series scheduled in sub-continent till 2027.

With ICC WTC 2023-25 final scheduled in June and then 2 Test match series against West Indies in West Indies; it unlikely looks that the spin trio will play together in any of 2 Tests in Caribbean. Nathan Lyon is often termed as the main bowler in the setup despite the lethal quicks Cummins, Starc & Hazlewood being there as Lyon has a unique ability of changing the complexion of match, but the question is can he play another 2 gruelling Test cricket to achieve greatness for the team?

Also Read: SL vs AUS: Nathan Lyon & Matthew Kuhnemann Spurn A Web & Hand Sri Lanka A Colossal Innings Defeat; Usman Khawaja’s Gritty Double Ton Highlights A Dominant Victory For Aussies


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