Nathan Lyon’s seven-month wait for a game will end at his former office in Adelaide on Monday, when NSW start their Sheffield Shield defence against Western Australia.
The Blues, who were crowned Shield champions when COVID-19 brought a premature end to the 2019-20 season, open their campaign at Gladys Elphick Park.
Lyon moved to Adelaide in 2010 and worked on the venue’s centre wicket as a groundsman, the start of a meteoric rise that led to a Test call-up in 2011.
The offspinner has since captured 390 wickets from 96 Tests, leaving him on the cusp of two big milestones during Australia’s upcoming four-Test series against India.
Lyon recently toured England with Australia’s white-ball squad but hasn’t played a competitive fixture since representing NSW in March.
“I’m itching to get back out there. This has been the longest break I’ve ever had in my cricket career,” Lyon said.
The veteran and fellow tweakers rarely received much assistance from pitches in recent Shield seasons.
But spinners Ashton Agar and Lloyd Pope both claimed five-wicket hauls last week, while legspinner Mitchell Swepson’s 4-66 from 45.2 overs helped Queensland secured a final-hour victory over Tasmania at Gladys Elphick Park.
“The wickets will keep taking spin. Obviously the venues down here are going to have a lot of traffic on them for the next little bit, I think it’s a period of five weeks that we’re playing Shield cricket here,” Lyon said.
Lyon praised the efforts of Pope and Agar in Round 1, having worked closely with the latter in recent weeks.
The 32-year-old can’t wait to square off against Agar, who is among the contenders to be his understudy against Virat Kohli’s team.
“We did a lot of work together while in England then in quarantine together at Adelaide Oval,” Lyon said.
“It’s good to see he’s getting some reward for all the hard work he’s put in on the training field.”
Mitchell Starc has been rested but the Blues won’t be short of international experience, with captain Peter Nevill, Sean Abbott, Trent Copeland, Moises Henriques and Kurtis Patterson joining Lyon in their XI.
Victoria and Queensland both have a bye this week, while Tasmania meet South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval in the other match beginning on Monday.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
He could be toast?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Maybe 'Schwepsoneffence' has gone flat?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But there is the nay-sayers.
AREH
Roar Guru
17 - 10 - 12 -3 Sayers' effort with the ball against TAS so far...just incredible
McBumble
Guest
I for one am loving having the Shield back and free to watch on CA site. Thank you CA! Agar is not as good as Lyon but I feel his batting is solid for a bowler. Alot is said about Swepson but Im not convinced. Yet another Warner endorsed bowler. AUS test side doesn't need an all rounder. Labu can roll the arm over if needed and our pace lads are all class. No need to draft in another rounder. Moises to churn out a double hundred today. Does anyone here know when the 1st test vs India is actually on? Dec 3rd?
Tempo
Roar Rookie
Agar is a decent holding bowler who can tie up an end without posing much of a threat to top class batsmen. If Lyon was injured I would prefer to pick Swepson who I think will pose more of a threat than Agar and has vastly improved his control in recent seasons. If Agar is selected I feel we might need an allrounder as an extra wicket-taking option if the pitch is flat. Perhaps even a Neser-Agar combination, as their handy batting combined could more or less replace the output of Lyon plus a batsman. Would still prefer the Swepson option though.
JK
Guest
Extremely overated.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Over rates might be a consideration, I feel Agar isn't far away for red ball cricket (certainly not in Lyon's class) and has performed creditably overseas with limited opportunities. Labu is a real option and I feel much more than a part timer. I've been trying to think of the last "better than a part timer" in the batting line up, maybe all the way back to the Waugh's?
Paul
Roar Guru
I agree Swepson would probably be next in line, but I'd have thought the Aussies might not play a spinner if Lyon was injured, unless it was in Sydney. Still have Labuschagne & Smith if they played 4 quicks.
Paul
Roar Guru
Mr Patterson might have to look at his technique on the hook shot. It's not the first time he's been caught playing the ball from low to high, rather than the other way round. Great to see him back and playing that shot, but obviously better to getting it to ground as soon as possible.
AREH
Roar Guru
Siddle continuing his relentless ways no matter the kit he wears! Not that this should surprise, though Long-time Ferg fans can rejoice - he is back. Like the look of young Hunt also, building from last season - just dismissed by Siddle - but appears a proper opener that can bat long and grind. Less than ideal first outings for D.Hughes and Patterson
badmanners
Roar Rookie
I would have thought Swepson, but making him debut against the best players of spin in the world on the worst pitches to bowl it on might destroy his confidence. Then again that's how Warne got a start. :happy:
JGK
Roar Guru
Good to see Jason Sangha back in the NSW side.
JGK
Roar Guru
Agar isn't next in line with the red ball is he?
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
If I were a religious man I'd be on my knees every night praying like crazy that Gazza doesn't get injured this season because I feel there's a light year between Lyon and Agar when it comes to red ball bowling. Agar does seem to be improving but Lyon is a master craftsman pretty much at the peak of his powers. It's a complete and utter no-contest imo.