Nathan Lyon still bullish about his World Cup chances

Australian red-ball specialist bowler Nathan Lyon is still optimistic about his chances in the World Cup to be contested in England and Wales. The 30-year old off-spinner made his Test debut in 2011 against Sri Lanka. Since then, Lyon has played 80 Tests, taking 318 wickets at a decent average of 32.21. He holds the record for most Test wickets taken by an Australian off-spinner when he broke Hugh Trumble’s record of 141 wickets in 2015. 

However, he had to wait a year more before making his limited-overs debut for Australia. While Lyon has proved his mettle in the longest format, he has taken only 18 wickets in 15 ODIs, at an average of above 36. He was rested for the ODI series against South Africa so that Lyon could feature for New South Wales and get valuable match practice ahead of the gruelling Test series against India, amplifying further doubts about his limited-overs future.

The GOAT not done with limited overs cricket

However, Lyon played down all the reservations by making it crystal clear that he is still eyeing a spot in the World Cup squad and that he had a chat with the selectors about it.

The off-spinner was quoted by Cricket.com.au as saying, “I had a really good chat to the selectors about the T20 and the ODI stuff as well. I know where I sit with the white-ball cricket and I had a big focus on this Test series, we know how big it is playing against the best guys in the world and the best side in the world.”

“It’s just like Mitchell Marsh doing the same thing making sure he is getting some runs. I’m just making sure we’re ready to go come Test cricket, and I’m getting enough overs under my belt.”

Nathan Lyon’s form in the ongoing Sheffield Shield has been nothing short of great. While playing for New South Wales in their match against Tasmania, Lyon almost single-handedly scripted an unlikely victory by sending back four middle-order batsmen.

However, Tasmania happened to survive Lyon that day. Lyon’s form will be extremely crucial to Australia’s chances as he had hit the purple patch the last time in the 2014-15 series by taking 23 wickets across four Tests.

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