Nathan Lyon believes that Mitchell Marsh will be able to play a role with the ball in Adelaide but not sure about taking up extra workload ahead of the second test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Mitchell Marsh’s fitness has been one of the key talks around the Australian squad after he pulled up sore after the Perth Test.
Uncapped all-rounder Beau Webster has been added to the Australia squad but it appears likely that Marsh will retain his place regardless of how much he can bowl.
Since returning to the side in last year’s Ashes, Marsh is the only batter to have an average over 40 which appears to keep him side.
“I honestly think we’ll see Mitch Marsh bowl,” Lyon told about Mitchell Marsh. “I’m not concerned about Bison’s fitness if I’m being honest. He’s been brilliant for us since he’s come back in.”
“He came [back] in that game in Leeds during the Ashes and [has] really dominated so got full confidence in Bison. Happy to bowl his overs.”
Lyon’s ability to be both on attacking and defensive bowler means he can play a key role in balancing the bowling unit in the absence of geniune fifth bowler where, if needed, he can look to control the run rate in the first innings before searching more for wickets as the game develops.
With a quick turnaround between Tests, Australia faces some challenges #AUSvIND
MORE: https://t.co/w6zpg08HRk pic.twitter.com/PhdI2YvM62
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 4, 2024
“I’m very clear on my role within the team,” Lyon said. “Nothing really changes with me…if I can get the opportunity to bowl more overs, I’ll jump at it.”
Lyon said that Adelaide pitch which will start with 6mm of grass will take turn as the game develops. In day-night tests at the ground, spinners average 24.72 on the third day and 22.91 on the fourth compared to 113.25 on the first and 60.60 on the second.
“We understand that we didn’t play our best cricket in Perth and India totally outplayed us,” he said.
“But with all the other stuff, it’s been quite humorous in a way looking at how much has been said and the reactions of so many different people after one loss.
“The beauty of a five-match Test series…is you get the opportunity to turn that around and that’s the challenge of what we face right now.”
“We are coming up against a world-class India side that played an exceptional game of cricket over in Perth but that’s been nine days or so ago now, so come Friday we go again which I’m excited about.”
“We are humans, we are going to make mistakes, but if we can go out there and try and learn along the journey then we are going to put ourselves in a better position come our next fixture.”
“We’ve got a great record here, playing at one of the best venues in the world on a great wicket, so looking forward to that.”
He also expressed suprise with both Jadeja and Ashwin being ruled out for the Perth test.
“[It] more than surprises me,” he said. “That’s the quality of Indian cricketers they have in that squad. You’ve got Ashwin with 530-odd wickets [536] and then Jadeja over 300 wickets [319]. It’s pretty remarkable to see the quality of players sitting on the bench.”
However, Australia has recevied a positive side, Josh Hazlewood was doing some gentle run throughs of his action alongside the other bowlers during the evening training session on Wednesday after he was ruled out of the second test with a mild side strain.
Australia suffered 295-run defeat during the first match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy and will be looking to bounce back during the Pink-ball test.
The second match of the Australia-India tests will begin on December 06 at Adelaide Oval.
