David Warner Is An X-Factor: Nathan Lyon Hopeful Of The Australian Opener Playing The Last Two Tests

Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is confident that swashbuckling veteran opener David Warner will be 100℅ available for selection for the upcoming two Tests against India in Sydney and Brisbane.

David Warner has been out of action since the second One-day International in Sydney against India where he suffered a groin strain while attempting to save a boundary.

Warner missed out from the first two Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy but returned to training in Melbourne during the Boxing Day Test which his side lost by eight wickets.

Even though he is not expected to be 100% fit, Australia is looking to play even a 90-95℅ fit David Warner as the hosts aim to address their batting woes, which have been further accentuated by the lack of returns from Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.

“David is a x-factor. He is a world-class batter. I am 100 per cent expecting David to go out there in the next couple of Tests and do well,” Nathan Lyon told reporters on Monday.

It’s massive’- Nathan Lyon on India-Australia rivalry

The four-match Test series between Australia and India is beautifully poised at the moment. While Australia won the pink-ball Test by 8 wickets in Adelaide, India turned the tables on the hosts at the MCG by the same margin.

Lyon said that the India-Australia rivalry is getting right up there with the Ashes as the pinnacle for Australian cricket besides adding that the hosts will look to draw inspiration from how they bounced back from a heartbreaking defeat at Leeds in Ashes 2019.

”You can always draw from all different experiences. It doesn’t have to be in England, it can be in South Africa or wherever,” Nathan Lyon added.

“You’re always learning. We’ll have a meeting just before the game and reflect … we have to make sure we keep our feet on the ground, stay in the contest,” he said.

“The India-Australia series is getting up there alongside the Ashes, as a pinnacle for the Australian cricket side. It’s massive … there is something special building,” he signed off.

The third Test of the four-match series starts on January 07 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

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