1 year ago
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NEW DELHI: Australian cricket stalwart
Nathan Lyon
has extended his willingness to reinforce Australia's spin department should the need arise during the ongoing Cricket World Cup in India.
The Australian team faces a potential challenge in the spin department due to the unavailability of
Ashton Agar
, who is sidelined from the ICC event due to a calf injury sustained during T20Is in South Africa last month. With only one specialist spinner,
Adam Zampa
, and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell as the alternative, Australia could feel the absence of a dedicated slow bowler, particularly in conditions that favour spin in India.
Lyon, who has a wealth of experience, expressed his readiness to contribute, stating, "I sent Andrew McDonald a text message the other day when I saw Ashton Agar was ruled out. I said, 'Just to let you know, I'm back bowling 10 overs, I'm right to go, 100 per cent'. If that happened I'd do anything to go over and play the World Cup."
He emphasised that for this scenario to come to fruition, several factors would need to go awry for the Australian team, and he hoped that such a situation wouldn't arise. Currently focused on his return to competitive cricket following a calf injury, Lyon is set to feature in Marsh Cup and Sheffield Shield games. He is also in line to participate in the opening Test against Pakistan in Perth on December 14.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Lyon's track record is relatively limited, with 29 wickets in the same number of matches at an average of 46.0 and an economy rate of 4.92. His best bowling figures in ODIs stand at 4/44. His last appearance in the Australian ODI setup was during the previous World Cup in July 2019.
Despite offering his services, Lyon believes that Glenn Maxwell is well-equipped to shoulder the additional bowling responsibility, particularly after Australian skipper
Pat Cummins
endorsed Maxwell as a front-line spinner for the team. Lyon stated, "Hundred per cent I'm backing his skill-set to do the job there, and when
Travis Head
comes back, I dare say his off-breaks will be quite effective as well."
(With inputs from PTI)
English (US)