Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has recently dispelled the weight of attaining the 400 Test wickets landmark after his four-fer in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
Lyon went wicketless in the first innings of the Gabba Test against England but returned in grand style in the second essay, removing Dawid Malan to pick his 400th Test scalp. He then bagged three more wickets to help Australia take a 1-0 series lead after defeating the visitors by nine wickets.
As the hosts are preparing for the second Test in Adelaide, which starts on December 16, Lyon has predicted the scoreline of the series claiming that Australia can inflict a 5-0 whitewash over England. Notably, Adelaide is the same ground where Lyon had worked as a curator before his fortunes changed.
Lyon reckoned the if the Aussies will play a positive brand of cricket under the newly appointed Test skipper Pat Cummins, the mark of 5-0 looks quite well achievable.
“I do believe we can win 5-0 … for sure. I’ve never walked into a Test series thinking I’m going to go in there and lose a game. We’ll do everything we can. If we prepare well and play the right positive brand of cricket under our new captain, there’s no reason why we can’t win 5-0,” said Lyon as quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.
“In saying that, England’s a classy outfit, and they’re going to challenge us here and there. With two pink-ball games now, we’re going to make sure we’re totally on our game,” he added.
Notably, there have been only three 5-0 whitewashes in the Ashes history, and Australia have accomplished all down under – 1920-21, 2006-07 and 2013-14.
