Published: Nov 20, 2015, 09:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 20, 2015, 09:53 AM (IST)
Nathan Lyon has been on quite a run in the Test arena with his sharp and accurate bowling against the visiting New Zealand team in the on-going Trans-Tasman series 2015. Nathan Lyon in his recent comments has added fuel to fire that Australia might go in with 2 spinners in the Adelaide Test as he expects the pink ball to help the spinners more and get more purchase from the wicket. New South Wales (NSW) spinner Steve O’Keefe who was a surprise inclusion in the squad of 13 for the historic first ever day-night Test against New Zealand could easily fill in the role of a perfect partner to Lyon. ALSO READ: Steve O’Keefe surprise inclusion in Australia’s squad for 3rd Test vs New Zealand
Head coach Darren Lehmann is already pondering to play two spinners or not, this will be the first time that Australia opt for two spinners at home in the last 10 years. Lyon has said that O’Keefe will not disappoint if chose as the 2nd spinner in the team. Lyon and O’Keefe play for the same state team, they last played together in Sheffield Shield game for NSW at Adelaide Oval against South Australia last month. O’Keefe has always described himself as a pink-ball specialist having taken 18 wickets at an average of 18.22 in 3 day-night matches for NSW over the past three years.
Nathan Lyon has said the it is hard to pick up the seam position of the pink ball by the batsmen which will be of great advantage to O’Keefe and him.”It’s perfect. Batters can’t see the seam,” Lyon said on Friday. It’s going to be pretty interesting. It’s no different for me, bowling with a red ball, white ball or pink ball. I’m not going to change my plan,”says Lyon. ALSO READ: Australia vs New Zealand 2015 3rd Test at Adelaide: Hosts likely to go with two spinners
“It’s just about getting out there and executing and being consistent,” Lyon explained. Nathan Lyon who believes in not tweaking much with Test cricket said it will be exciting to play the historic day-night Test this week with Day 1 and Day 2 already being sold out. Lyon did maintain the the future of day-night Test is still hangs in the balance, including the performance of the pink ball. ALSO READ: Australia vs New Zealand 2015 day-night Test at Adelaide Oval: James Pattinson ready for comeback
“I haven’t batted against one in a game. Steve Smith declared on me in the Shield game. I’ve no problem picking it up out of my hands!,”concluded Lyon.
