RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesNathan Lyon is already Australia’s greatest ever off-spinner.
But approaching 39, and having been sidelined for almost seven months, the next two weeks could well determine the rest of his Test career.
As Australia hosts Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay in a two-match winter Test series, Lyon returns to the international scene for the first time since suffering a severe hamstring tear during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide last December and requiring surgery.
While some have suggested such a serious soft tissue injury signals the end is nigh for Lyon - including former Test spinner Kerry O’Keefe - not everyone is so sure, while others are calling for the veteran to have his workload more carefully managed in the field.
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“He’s still the best spinner in Australia, and by a fair margin,” Mark Waugh declared on Fox Cricket, before adding there’s no way Australia can afford to try to protect his ageing body in the field.
“If he’s in the side you have to pick him as a normal player, you can’t hide in Test match cricket.
“He’ll be thinking ‘I have another couple of years in me’ for sure, it’s just a matter of managing his fitness and keeping loose and supple, he’ll be right.”
For his part, Australian coach Andrew McDonald is also backing the veteran to get the job done saying Lyon’s body is ‘as prepared as it ever has been.’
“The SSSM (sports science and medical) team have done a power of work,” McDonald said.
“But ultimately, it’s the player that has to have the appetite to get back to that level… there’s no guarantees when you get that age when you have such a significant injury.
“It’s one thing getting back, the next thing is obviously backing up from Test match to Test match, and how we manage him in the program to allow him to go out there and perform.
“We’re confident that he will.”
Should things go wrong, WA off-spinner Cory Rocchiccioli picked up six wickets in the tour match against Bangladesh last weekend.
Australia won the toss and will bat first in Darwin.
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