No spin, Lyon primed to fire at the WACA

The WACA Ground has been an unhappy hunting ground for spinners but Nathan Lyon's career-best form has Australia excited and expectant ahead of the third Magellan Ashes Test.

Lyon, the world's leading Test wicket-taker in 2017, rattled England in both Brisbane and Adelaide.

The offspinner will play a pivotal role in the hosts' bid for an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, with the third Test to start in Perth on Thursday.

Bruce Yardley is the only Australian spinner to take a Test five-for at the WACA but given Lyon’s current form, he could add his name to the ground's honours board.

"Perth's a tough place (for spinners), that's traditionally because it swings and quicks bowl the majority of the overs," coach Darren Lehmann said.

"He'll get drift obviously with The Doctor (Fremantle's famous sea breeze), and some bounce. "He's been bowling brilliantly for us."

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine described Lyon's recent output as incredible.

"He's probably bowling the best he's ever bowled," Paine said.

"This pitch might not spin as much as we've seen.

"But the shape he's getting on the ball and the bounce he's been getting - if he can get that same sort of bounce, which I'm sure he will here, he's going to be hard work for them again."

Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara observed in a recent Wisden column on the Ashes that the "key difference between the two sides has been Lyon" – despite believing England, on paper at least, boasts the more complete team.

He said the tourists needed to change their approach if they want to prevent the off-spinner having the same influence in the Perth Test.

 

Although England probably have a more complete side, the Australians have managed to pull things in their favour because when it counts they’ve executed their skills better,” Sangakkara wrote for Wisden.

“The real contest is always about skill on the field, and the Australians in this series, in the toughest of situations – and they have been under pressure in both games – have shown better skills than the English.

“The key difference between the two sides has been Lyon, being able to tie them down and bowl long spells from one end. He bowls with great pace, has great shape on the ball, and he uses the angles of over- and round-the-wicket very well.

“He’s very sure of himself, there’s no doubt in his mind about his ability, and his captain backs him to the hilt.

“They must be more aggressive against him. They must try to shorten his spells by being proactive.”

Five-wicket hauls by spinners in WACA Tests

Monty Panesar (England), 5-92 2006

Dan Vettori (New Zealand), 6-87 v Australia 2001

Bruce Yardley (Australia), 5-107 v England 1982

Bruce Yardley (Australia), 6-84 v Pakistan 1981

Bishan Bedi (India), 5-89 & 5-105 v Australia 1977

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21