ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Nathan Lyon Backs Himself to be Part of the Australia Squad

Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon feels that two spinners in each team’s playing XI in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is a certainly a huge possibility. Nathan Lyon will look to find a spot in the Australia squad for the quadrennial event slated to be held in England and Wales. Despite being the most successful Australian finger spinner with 343 wickets, Lyon’s ODI career has been limited to just 18 appearances.

Lyon was recalled back to the Australian squad earlier in the year against India. In the 3 matches he played, Lyon managed to get a solitary wicket. He finished with figures of 1/42 in his allotted 10 overs in the Nagpur ODI. Nathan Lyon further revealed that he was hopeful of finding a spot in the 2019 World Cup slated to be played in England and Wales.

Lyon backed himself to be part of the Australian squad along with Adam Zampa. Lyon has never had the opportunity to play in a World Cup. However, it is definitely on the bucket list of Lyon. If he does make it to the 2019 World Cup squad, he will get rid of another wish in his bucket list.

Nathan Lyon reveals about his bucket list 

“You always want to play in the big tournaments and I’ve never had the opportunity to play in a World Cup. It’s definitely on my bucket list,” he told reporters in Ranchi, where the third ODI will be played on Friday. “I do believe two spinners in a squad is going to play a massive role, especially in the UK. I dare say nearly every side in the World Cup will be playing two spinners.” Lyon was quoted as saying by cricket. Com.au.

India is one such team who has regularly fielded a couple of spinners in their ODI XI. The duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal has been the biggest strengths for India in the middle overs. England, the No 1 team in ODI’s also fields two spinners in the XI in the form of Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have also fielded a couple of spinners together.

Lyon has bagged only 19 wickets at an average of 42 and an impressive economy rate of 4.86. He is confident of making it to the 2019 World Cup squad.

 “I’m very confident with where my skill level is at. I know if I get the opportunity, I’m confident I can get the job done for Australia,” he said. “We’ve got three more ODIs here, then five in Dubai. There’s going to be a great opportunity for players to put their hand up.”