With four players vying for the final bowler’s position in Australia’s preferred World Cup XI, Nathan Lyon has emerged as the obvious candidate.
And while Nathan Coulter-Nile, Kane Richardson and Jason Behrendorff are serviceable third seamers when the pitch or opposition dictates their selection, Lyon’s experience and skill mean he should partner Adam Zampa for most of the next six weeks.
The off-spinner has been an understated cog in Australia’s resurgence in the 50-over format, boasting a superb economy rate of less than five-an-over since his return. His importance was underlined during Australia’s win over the hosts on Saturday, finishing with 1-37 against the world’s most destructive batting side.
And while this was just a warm-up clash, it’s part of a growing sample size that suggests he’s the economical option Justin Langer needs in the middle overs.
Since returning to the Australia ODI setup earlier this year against India in Sydney, Lyon has played 13 times in the canary yellow, and bowled ten overs in each game aside from Monday’s final warm-up game against Sri Lanka, where he bowled eight.
In that time, he has gone at just 4.9 runs an over – a superb return in the modern game. He has also conceded 60-plus runs in an innings just once during that period.
And while his wicket-tally for the 13-game stretch sits at just ten, it’s likely skipper Aaron Finch wouldn’t see that as an issue. Lyon builds pressure for those around him to take wickets – a role similar to the one he plays at Test level when the pitches offer little assistance.
His accuracy and ability to limit poor deliveries make him difficult to get away in the vital middle overs. Further, his athleticism also makes him a superb fielder off his own bowling and key option in the outfield.
Crucially, playing alongside Zampa has also gives him a defined role, something the leg-spinner touched on last week.
“I actually think it’s helped Nath having both of us play,” Zampa explained.
Australia’s Adam Zampa in action. (AAP Image/SNPA, John Cowpland)
“Playing as one spinner as an off-spinner, you’re probably in-between trying to take wickets and knowing your role economically. In the UAE and India he went 1-40 most games which was unbelievable – you’d take that every time. And it just helps me at the other end.”
Normally in these situations, with two spinners vying for the number one position in the squad, a distinct competitiveness emerges. But Zampa revealed it was quite the opposite with Lyon. Earlier this year the pair even sat down and decided to work together to help realise their World Cup dreams.
“We said ‘let’s do everything we can to make sure we’re both there’,” Zampa said.
So, they set out helping each other in the nets, each knowing they could be more effective when the other is bowling well. It’s a far cry from the Shane Warne/Stuart MacGill rivalry of the early 2000s.
“100 per cent (I want us to both to play). We play two different roles – he’s so accurate, bowls to his field really well and is really tight which means I can attack from the other end. I really think it will play a big role some time throughout the World Cup.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Lyon was similarly full of praise for Zampa – four years his junior – when speaking after the win against England.
“To be honest I love bowling in tandem with Adam. The way he goes about his cricket – he’s a very talented leg-spinner…bowling with him has been exciting, having two spinners. If you ask me I’d play two spinners in every side around the world. I’m very much spin to win. Of course, you’re asking a spinner.”
Naturally, the pair won’t be picked for every game. On some grounds – Trent Bridge, for example, where Australia faces the West Indies next Thursday – the batting friendly surfaces will dictate that a finger spinner might be best withheld.
Further, teams such as Afghanistan (Australia’s opponent on Saturday) may possess a batting line-up more suited to the spin of Lyon than the pace of Nathan Coulter-Nile or Kane Richardson.
But on the whole, Lyon’s current form and cricket smarts should lock him as the clubhouse leader among the four bowlers vying for the final spot in the XI. Given the importance of spinners in ODI cricket, the pair’s partnership could prove vital in Australia’s World Cup defence.
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