Spin bowler Nathan Lyon admits he’s feeling the heat to keep his Australian Test spot but is confident he’s the man for the job.
Questions remain over Lyon’s wicket-taking ability after a forgettable year yielding just 14 Test wickets at an average of 61.5, culminating in the thumping by Pakistan in the UAE in conditions tailor-made for spin.
The NSW bowler missed this week’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia due to the birth of his second child and he admits fellow Blues spinner Steven O’Keefe’s match-winning bowling performance there adds to pressure surrounding his Test spot going into the home series against India.
But Lyon remained adamant he’s got what it takes at Test level.
“You’re always under pressure,” he said on Wednesday.
“You’re playing international cricket at the highest level so if people aren’t putting you under pressure you aren’t improving.
“It’s about how you handle that and how you bounce back.
“I’m confident in my skill to get the job done no matter what. It’s unfortunate it didn’t happen in Abu Dhabi and Dubai but you have to pay credit to (Pakistan’s) spin bowling.
“So I’m looking forward to coming out here in Australia and putting in a good performance for NSW leading into the Test series.”
In conditions where Pakistan’s spinners thrived, Lyon had the disappointing figures of 2-148 and 0-72 in the Dubai Test and 1-154 and 0-48 in the Abu Dhabi Test.
But Lyon, who will head to Queensland for the Shield match starting on Sunday, said he’s feeling mentally and physically refreshed after a break from the game.
He said he’d taken a lot from his experience in the UAE and has been tinkering with his bowling style.
He’ll link up again with bowling coach John Davidson, the former South Australian spinner, when he arrives in Brisbane.
“I’m definitely working on a few different things in the nets here especially reflecting on the Pakistan series,” he said.
“So I’m always learning and I’m looking forward to making a few changes here and there.”
twodogs
Guest
Name's easy to spell.
Quitwhinging
Guest
O'keefe isn't going to be picked, people need to understand this, if not Lyon it will be a wristspinner not a finger spinner
James T
Guest
Smith and Clarke will bowl us to victory before Lyon. Isn't attacking enough, gets hit a couple of times and gets very defensive. Go sok and bring in a leggie for Adelaide and Sydney. If Ahmed keeps taking wickets he could be an option
rock
Roar Rookie
How Wade is still around the Aussie team astounds me and it seems just about everybody else also, well except our selectors of course
Quitwhinging
Guest
Boyce is 25 and Zampa is 22 so they both have time on their side.
Quitwhinging
Guest
Murali was, but Lyon prefers Davison as the spin coach, so with him coming back we'll hopefully see Lyon taking wickets again.
Quitwhinging
Guest
if Wade is picked as Haddin's cover and then plays I think Lyon might tear out whats left of his hair...
JGK
Roar Guru
Wasn't Murali coaching Lyon for the UAE series?
JGK
Roar Guru
With indications that Haddin won't be fit for the Gabba and Wade the likely replacement, I wonder if Lyon might just retire from Tests anyway.
Bearfax
Guest
For me at this time there are only two spin bowlers worthy of test selection. That may change in a year or two with some of the up and comers, but its important not to select them until their performances justify and they are shown to be as good as the incumbents. For example the suggestions about Boyce in my mind is total folly. He may become a fine test bowler in a few years. But it would be a disaster putting him in now.So for mine the selectors should either stick with Lyon or promote O'Keefe. I favour O'Keefe because his figures are so outstanding especially here in Australia. But Lyon has, except in the UAE, done a reasonable job in the Australian side and I think he'll continue to be an adequate foil for our fast bowling battery
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
If either of them are able to get their shield average under 50 this season they might have a shot, otherwise it might feel a bit more of the same, picking people like Smith, White, Maxwell as test spinners.
Quitwhinging
Guest
I read an article on the cricket Australia website, that Ian Chappell urged the selectors to have a look at him, he only 22 but seems to have something about, he had a good 50 over come so that may go in his favour. I have no idea what happened to Muirhead, I assume he's playing grade cricket or in the futures league. He would have to do alot to knock Ahmed out of the number 1 spinners role and 1 would expect him to be behind Jon Holland as well. Lyon has earned brownie points, but he's always found a way to bounce back.
jameswm
Guest
I don't think Zampa's close. What's happened to Muirhead? Lyons has earnt some brownie points, but you can't stick with an underperforming spinner forever.
Ruminate
Roar Guru
Warnie was quoted as saying that Lyon changed his bowling in the UAE and he couldn't work out why... Lyon to me has only really been effective when the pace attack have tied up the other end and batsmen have got out to him. O'Keefe's FC record is good, but I'm not sure that he will be any better than Lyon. Right now, Lyon is probably the best that we have and whilst he will be ok here as the 4th bowler, unfortunately it does not seem that he is good enough in Asia to threaten batsmen.. O'Keefe seemed to be in the same boat to me. I can't see that either of these players will bowl us to victory in day 5 of a test and it is likely that we will need that in the Ashes in the UK. (Speaking of which, why are the English side called so and not the UK side? ) Boyce looks promising, but is about a year away I think.
Quitwhinging
Guest
won't happen, if Lyon is left it will be for Boyce/Zampa
Matt
Roar Rookie
Spot on. ODI's are dangerous for finger-spinner's style and the reason why someone like Doherty is in no danger of taking Gaz's spot. One thing that makes O'Keefe dangerous in Australia is the uses the bounce of the wicket. He bowled superbly at Adelaide Oval, and while I love a bit of Gaz I wouldn't be upset to see SOK get his time against India.
Vish
Guest
Lyon is a good test bowler but playing him in ODI cricket wil only make him lose his line and length. Against Pakistan he jus was too defensive. He was average in the Ashes and his figures were jus better because of the English scars of Mitch Johnson and too ultra defensive batting against him. When attacked Lyon has no clue where to bowl and he jus is clattered by the batsman to all corners. We now have a good collection of spinners in the Shield. Holland seems good and keeps pickin wickets on a consistent basis.Agar though inexperienced could mature well. These two could do well with some sessions with Bishen Singh Bedi who is a staunch Aussie fan. Boyce looks good but needs time. O keefe looks good for ODI than tests.