'Big achievement': Jason Gillespie secures major appointment as Pakistan Test coach
Australian fast bowling great Jason Gillespie has been named head coach of Pakistan's Test team, as the nation overhauls its coaching department ahead of…
Australia’s decision to play two spinners for the first time in a home Test in 10 years is already paying dividends after the first day of the Third Test against West Indies at the SCG.
Offspinner Nathan Lyon was brought on by Australia captain Steve Smith in just the eighth over on Sunday, on a wicket receptive to slow bowling as the SCG returned to its halcyon days as a spinners’ paradise.
Lyon was the pick of the home side’s bowlers, claiming 2-68 from 32 overs in the Windies’ stumps total of 6-207 from 75 overs on a rain-affected day.
His spin partner Stephen O’Keefe was in on the fun too, picking up 1-42 from his 14 overs.
“I think that’s a pretty good wicket. It’s good fun to bowl on for spinners,” Lyon said.
“It’s a big challenge for me, it’s spinning pretty big and it’s got decent bounce. So it’s a challenge for me to try and hit the stumps. I’m enjoying that right now.”
Lyon brought up 100 Test wickets in Australia with the wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite for 85 in the final session.
Brathwaite said he was surprised by the amount of turn on the opening day but praised the SCG wicket.
“It is a good batting pitch I think, it is taking some spin,” he said.
“I think the spinners bowled well, it is just about trusting your defence and backing your shots and you can score.”
It is the first time in a decade Australia has played two spinners in a home Test, when Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill played in the win over South Africa at the SCG in 2006.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
Australian fast bowling great Jason Gillespie has been named head coach of Pakistan's Test team, as the nation overhauls its coaching department ahead of…
Will Jacks got RCB past the 200 target set by Gujarat with four overs to spare.
With Rajasthan needing 25 off 17, both batsmen ended up at the same end but the bowler dropped the throw from his teammate -…
A six-laden, 27-ball 84 from Jake Fraser-McGurk to continue his outrageous debut IPL!
Johnny Bairstow has hit his way back into form with a 45-ball century as he steered his side to a record-breaking win, easily chasing…
It seems franchise cricket has forgotten about the great battle between bat and ball. In fact, this season in the IPL there is no battle at all.