Nathan Lyon equates India-Australia rivalry with Ashes: The Australian spinner is looking forward to the challenge of hosting India later this year.
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Australia and New South Wales spinner Nathan Lyon has welcomed fellow spinner Adam Zampa’s move to return back to the state and hopes to help him out with cricket’s ancestral format.
“It’s great to see Adam [Zampa] back here at NSW. Obviously we’ve played really good white-ball cricket together. We had a great tour of India a couple of years ago in the white-ball format and got the result over there playing together.
“Hopefully, I can help Adam out with his red-ball cricket, but I’m happy to help out anyone and making sure they can get better,” Lyon was quoted as saying by Sporting News.
Being asked on the resumption of cricket post the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s premier spinner didn’t shy away from mentioning that he doesn’t pay much heed to the media reports.
“Well, we know that something will come eventually. We’re getting some really good preparation under the belt and can enjoy spending some time at home.
“I don’t listen to the media at all. You guys know a lot more than I do. I’ve got no idea when we play next or when potential tours are or anything. It’s just about coming here and enjoying training with NSW,” Lyon said.
Nathan Lyon equates India-Australia rivalry with Ashes
Lyon, who was part of the Australian team which lost a Test series against India for the first time at home in 2018-19, equated the India-Australia rivalry with the Ashes. With India set to tour again this summer, the 32-year old player is considering it as an “amazing challenge”.
“You never like losing series or games of cricket for Australia. India a couple of years ago, they outplayed us. But we’re looking forward to having those guys come here, it’s getting up there to the pinnacle series alongside the Ashes.
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“They’ve got a side full of superstars and it’s going to be an amazing challenge this Australian summer when they get out here,” Lyon added.
In 18 Tests against India, Lyon has dismissed 85 batsmen at an average of 32.60, an economy rate of 3.24 and a strike rate of 60.2.
