Nathan Lyon Says “If I Have To Bowl 100 Overs Each Week, It Doesn’t Bother Me” Ahead Of Sri Lanka Test Series

January 11, 2025: Ahead of Australia’s two-match Test series against Sri Lanka beginning on January 29, Nathan Lyon expressed his readiness to take on a significant role in the spin-friendly conditions of Sri Lanka. Lyon, who has been part of Australia’s Test team for several years, stated that if needed, he would bowl up to 100 overs in a week, showcasing his commitment to the team’s needs in the upcoming series.

In the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins, who is on paternity leave and recovering from an ankle injury, Steve Smith has been appointed as the interim captain of the Australian side for the Sri Lanka tour. The 16-player squad includes Lyon alongside young spinners Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann, who are expected to be key players on Sri Lanka’s notorious turning pitches.

Lyon spoke about his willingness to bowl a heavy workload, stating, “I’ll get my fair share of overs in Sri Lanka, and I am looking forward to that. If I have to bowl 100 overs each week, it doesn’t bother me.”

Reflecting on his recent performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, Lyon, who faced some issues with a sore hip, emphasized that his primary focus was on the team’s success, regardless of personal wicket-taking figures. “At the end of the day, if Australia is winning Test matches and I’m taking zero wickets or one wicket or five wickets, it doesn’t really concern me, as long as we can sing the song,” said the experienced off-spinner.

Lyon’s career stats are impressive, with 539 wickets in 134 matches at an average of 30.39, and he has taken 24 five-wicket hauls and five ten-wicket hauls. His record in Sri Lanka includes 35 wickets at an average of 32.02, with best figures of 5/34.

New faces have also been introduced in the squad, with Cooper Connolly, the former Australia U19 Cricket World Cup captain, receiving his first Test call-up. Nathan McSweeney has also been recalled after missing out on the recent Border-Gavaskar series.

Australia’s squad is missing key players like Josh Hazlewood, who is recovering from a calf injury, and Mitchell Marsh, who is focusing on the ICC Champions Trophy later in the year. The squad does not include players like Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, and Peter Handscomb, who were considered for the tour but ultimately not selected.

The upcoming series, while part of the World Test Championship 2023-2025 cycle, will not impact the top two spots, as both Australia and South Africa have already secured their positions for the WTC final in June 2025 at Lord’s.

Australia Test Squad for Sri Lanka series:

• Steve Smith (c)
• Sean Abbott
• Scott Boland
• Alex Carey
• Cooper Connolly
• Travis Head (vc)
• Josh Inglis
• Usman Khawaja
• Sam Konstas
• Matt Kuhnemann
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Nathan Lyon
• Nathan McSweeney
• Todd Murphy
• Mitchell Starc
• Beau Webster

The two Test matches will be held in Galle from January 29 to February 2 and February 6 to February 10.