Australian spinner Nathan lyon is expecting England to bounce back from their first Test mauling in Adelaide next week and warned on Thursday that aggressive tactics will again be needed.
England were left bruised and battered by their 381-run Ashes hammering in Brisbane, a Test in which Australia ramped up the sledging to try to get a psychological advantage.
lyon said England will be fired up for revenge in the second Test starting on December 5 and Australia cannot afford to relax. “It’s England and it’s a Test match, they’re going to bounce back, we know that,” he told reporters.
“Test match cricket is the hardest format going around. We’re not expecting anyone to roll over. We know the quality of the England cricket side.
“We’re going to have to stand up... And start that fight again. That’s the way Australia play their best cricket. We know where the line is and we don’t step over it. We’re going to continue to play aggressive, hard cricket.”
The new drop-in wicket at Adelaide Oval has proven difficult for bowlers so far in the current domestic Sheffield Shield season, and of biggest concern to Australia will be managing their in-form pace attack.
lyon said he expected selectors to again go into the match with just one specialist spinner -- himself. “Fingers crossed there’s a little bit more spin down there and we’ll see how we go,” said lyon, who helped spark English batting collapses in both innings of the Gabba Test.
“Steve Smith, Michael Clarke — they’re pretty capable of bowling a few overs. In saying that if the bowling group does our job they (part-time spinners) won’t have to bowl. I’m more than happy to take on the responsibility of being the number one spinner and hopefully get a few overs under my belt. I feel confident in my own skill-set to get the job done.”
England, who have lost veteran number three Jonathan Trott to a stress-related illness, have a two-day game starting Friday in the searing heat of Alice Springs against a Chairman’s XI, to work on their batting problems before Adelaide.
‘WACA back at bouncy best’
Perth: Former Australia opener Justin langer says the wicket for the third Ashes Test at the WACA ground will be similar to the bouncy Gabba track.
“The WACA is back to its fast, bouncy best ... it will suit Australia,” langer, now Western Australia state coach, said of the third test which begins Dec. 13.
langer, who played 105 Tests, was pleased Australia would maintain its hard-edged, on-field banter despite Jonathan Trott returning home for a stress-related illness. “That’s how Ashes should be played, as long as they don’t step over the line,” langer said.
“The players know there is a fine line there, as long as it doesn’t get personal, but it should be played tough.”
He said only technology had made the series seem increasingly ill-tempered.
“Go back to Bodyline (in the 1930s). I am sure there were a few harsh words spoken back then, nothing has changed,” langer said. “The only thing that has changed is there are more cameras and microphones.