Lyon: Aussie pacers can influence Mirpur Test

Published at 06:44 pm August 25th, 2017

If the weather permits, there could be a spin battle between Bangladesh and Australia in the two-match Test series. But Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon believes they have quality pace bowlers in the side who can change the course of the game. Lyon believes pacemen Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird and Pat Cummins can swing the ball in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, the venue for the first Test, starting Sunday, so spinners are not only in contention.

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“We have got three very good fast bowlers in the squad with Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummins and Jackson Bird who can get the ball moving in these conditions. We have seen them do it before in Sri Lanka and India. I don’t think it will be any different in Bangladesh. I think for us Australians will be about bowling in partnerships and bowling well together to take 20 wickets. It is not me versus someone else. It is a team game and we are here to take 20 wickets,” Lyon told the media in Mirpur on Friday. Tigers all-rounder Shakib al Hasan warned on Thursday that the host will play for a 2-0 series win against the Aussies while Lyon thinks Bangladesh are a very good side on their home turf and that they are ready to face the challenge.

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“I think we are going to have to wait and see. Both teams haven’t come up against each other so it is a big statement to come out and say that. But everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. We are just worried about what we are doing, to be honest. They can come out and say whatever they want. We are training and preparing well. We are looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead,” he said. “Everyone has their own opinion and goals. We have our own goals but I am not going to sit here and talk with you guys about our own goals. We are going to play cricket with a smile on our face and compete hard against Bangladesh. They are a good side. We are here to play two Tests and we are going to do our best, and hopefully walk away with the series win,” he added. Australia have a relatively inexperienced squad this time around and they have not performed all that well in the sub-continent. They were beaten 2-1 by India this year while Sri Lanka thrashed them 3-0 last year. “I think as a team we have grown a lot. We had a decent tour of India. It was disappointing not to get over the line with the series win but to win a game in those conditions, in Pune, was pretty special. The team have got a lot of belief out of that; it is pretty much the same squad here in Bangladesh. We are quietly confident in our own processes to get the job done here in Bangladesh. Personally I am very happy with the way I am bowling,” he explained.

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Bangladesh have plenty of left-handers in their batting line-up and as an off-spinner, Lyon could prove to be useful against the southpaws. “It is a different game bowling to left-handers and right-handers. The ball spinning away from the left-handers bring the slips into play. To the right-handers you will have to hit the stumps a lot more. They are good players of spin. The spin group have spoken about their batsmen. We are confident in our own skill to get the job done for Australia,” he concluded.