Nothing to prove for Lyon as he targets Adelaide return
The 140-Test veteran insists he has nothing to prove as he eyes a return to Australia’s starting XI for the Adelaide Test.
Nathan Lyon has missed two of the last three Test matches that Australia have played; on both occasions, the management preferred an extra pacer in pink-ball day-night fixtures.
Despite his recent absence from the national setup, the 38-year-old is eager to represent Australia in Adelaide against England. The ground is known to provide extra assistance to spinners in Australia.
"I've played 140 Test matches, I feel like I don't have a point to prove to anyone. I'm very clear on my role within this Australian cricket team. I love playing with everyone in that change room, and love representing Australia,” Lyon told reporters ahead of Adelaide Test.
“So if I get that opportunity again, I'll keep doing that. My dream is to continue to play cricket for Australia. And no one's got a given right to be selected. You've got to work your backside off to make sure that you put your hand up for selection and you earn that right."
Lyon has bowled sporadically on pace-friendly wickets during his last two Tests in Australia, sending down just eight overs across the two games.
He delivered only six overs against India in Sydney earlier this year and just two overs in the opening Ashes Test in Perth. Despite this, Lyon wanted to make an impact in the ongoing series, and expected England to attack him.
"I haven't really had the opportunity to get my teeth into this Test series yet, but that opportunity will hopefully come soon," Lyon said.
"I'm expecting [England's batters] to take me on."
Lyon, who has a longstanding relationship with the Adelaide Oval, having worked as a member of the ground staff in the past, was eager at the prospect of becoming Australia's second-highest Test wicket-taker on this ground.
The spinner’s tally of 562 wickets leaves him just one scalp behind currently second-placed McGrath (563). It has been a long wait for Lyon, who last claimed a Test wicket back in July.
"I dare say, potentially, may be like a little fairytale, I guess, when you look at it with my history here, with working here and dreaming of playing Test cricket," Lyon said.
"My first viewing of my first-ever Test match here was on the roller back in 2010, funnily enough, against England. So for me to potentially overtake Glenn McGrath would be pretty incredible, but still a long way to go."
