The first Ashes Test starts at The Gabba from December 8. Australia have also announced their playing XI for the game and Nathan Lyon is the sole specialist spinner in the line-up. Meanwhile, England pacer Stuart Broad who is a part of the Three Lions Ashes squad said that his teammates can take a leaf out of how Indian batsman played Lyon when they won the series in Australia.
Nathan Lyon is one short of 400 Test wickets. He is Australia’s most successful off-spinner. Stuart Broad feels Lyon is Australia’s key bowler despite their pace attack’s reputation. Speaking to News Corp, Broad said that based on India’s approach against the off-spinner in their series win Down Under, England can follow the same path for success.
Nathan Lyon Is The Key Man For Australia: Stuart Broad
“We’ve studied what Hazlewood, Cummins and Starc have done for a long period of time and the role Nathan Lyon plays, I actually think he’s their key man. He’s so consisten,t and it allows their bowlers to bowl the spells and overs they do.”
“India played him really well, and I think that helped play a key role in India winning that series, how they played him here. Our batters have to look at that. We’ve played Lyon in Australia very poorly for long periods of time. This is the series where that has to change.”
Further hailing Nathan Lyon, Broad said that he is best at what he does as a spinner. The off-spinner gives a very good loop and revolutions on the ball that deceives batsmen both in the air and off the pitch.
“He’s someone who brings great control in the first innings. We’ve got to play him better, there’s no getting away from that. We can’t put our heads in the sand, and pretend we’ve played him well.”
“He’s someone who brings great control in the first innings. We’ve got to play him better, there’s no getting away from that. We can’t put our heads in the sand, and pretend we’ve played him well.”
Nathan Lyon has 85 wickets in 23 Tests at a decent average of 30.53, with two fifers against England.
Get the latest cricket news here and like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.