Lyon looms large, but storm clouds threaten Aussie victory
Rain – and plenty of resistance – will be required on the final day for New Zealand to salvage a first Test draw against Australia at the Gabba today.
Off spinner Nathan Lyon (2-33) looms as the key for Australia on a bouncy Gabba wicket when New Zealand resumes at 3-142 chasing 504 for victory.
No doubt Australia would love a repeat of Lyon’s man-of-the match effort against India last summer where he claimed 12 wickets for the Adelaide Test.
Usually considered a fast bowler’s paradise, the Gabba has been a happy hunting ground for Lyon with 20 wickets in four previous Brisbane Tests at 23.20.
But Lyon believes their fast bowling stocks led by Mitchell Starc may prove the difference on the final day – weather permitting.
More showers are forecast for the Gabba.
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Arguably the most damage Australia’s Starc has caused in New Zealand’s second innings in the first Test has been on the Gabba wicket surface.
And while appreciative of the foot marks created by the big left-arm quick on the Brisbane deck, Lyon has tipped Starc to help seal a final day victory over the Black Caps.
“Starcy has been wearing his long spikes for me and there’s been a few foot marks out there so I can hopefully hit them and cause a bit of havoc,” Lyon said.
Lyon backed pace to be a factor with Starc, fellow quicks Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood plus all-rounder Mitch Marsh waiting in the wings.
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“Spin will play a role. (But) also the fast bowlers, we have three very classy fast bowlers with Hazlewood, Starc and Johnson,” Lyon said.
“Hopefully we can build pressure, bowl in partnerships and take these seven wickets.”
Starc has set out to transform his white ball form to the red in Brisbane.
He grabbed a record 26 scalps in just six games for NSW in the recent domestic one-day tournament.
So far so good for Starc.
He grabbed 4-57 in the first innings against New Zealand and has 1-24 to date in the second.
-AAP
