Published: Jul 21, 2016, 12:59 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 21, 2016, 12:59 PM (IST)
Australia’s off-spinner Nathan Lyon might be their main spin weapon as the visitors get ready to face Sri Lanka in a 3-match series, but his recent records haven’t been so promising. Lyon who was picked in the Test squad, ahead of Adam Zampa, Ashton Agar and other spinning options for Australia along with Steve O’Keefe, didn’t have a good outing like he would have desired against Sri Lankan XI in the 3-Day tour game before the series Test starts from July 26. Lyon ended up wicketless in the first innings and went for 72 runs at an economy of 5.53, clearly much more than his career economy rate of 3.14. Although, Lyon himself is unworried about his form. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia , 1st Test match at Kandy
“I know you look at the scoreboard and you see no wickets but I was really happy with the way they came out,” Lyon said after he managed to take 2 wickets in the Sri Lankan XI 2nd innings as Australia won by an innings and 162 runs. He added, “I was creating chances. In these tour games, a lot of the batsmen seem to go out with no fear because there’s no consequences for those guys. But come the Test match it’s a different story, so I’m really happy with the way they came out and I can only look forward to the next three Test matches,” as quoted by cricket.com.au. READ: Michael Hussey positive about Australia’s chances in Sri Lanka
Meanwhile, Lyon’s fellow teammate and spinner O’Keefe had a fantastic start to the tour as he picked up 5-43 in the first innings, scored a 78 not out lower down the order and again claimed 5 wickets for just 21 runs to finish the match for Australia. “It’s going to be a big challenge for Steve O’Keefe and myself,” Lyon said. “But that’s where we thrive – under pressure,” Lyon said.
Lyon is returning to Sri Lanka as the team’s most experienced Test player and he feels he is now more confident and mature as a bowler. “I’m turning up as the most capped player so it’s a little bit different. Looking back at 2011 I was obviously pretty excited and pretty nervous, but as a player I’ve grown both on the field and off the field and I’m certainly a lot more confident than what I was back then. I’m confident in my skills to get the job done,” he said.
