Nathan Lyon Rates India-Australia Rivalry At Par With The Ashes

Nathan Lyon, Australia’s frontline spinner in Test cricket, has made a bold statement with regards to India-Australia face-off in Test cricket. Nathan Lyon feels that India-Australia series in Tests equates to that of Ashes in which Australia and England partake. The Englishmen and Aussies take part in five-match Test rubber to compete for the urn, the first of which took place in 1882.

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Lyon addressed the upcoming visit from India to Australia later this year, terming it as one of the intense rivalries to look forward to. The 32-year old was part of the previous series down under in which India emerged victorious. Despite taking 21 wickets from four Tests, he wasn’t able to prevent a crushing loss.

Nathan Lyon believes that it is indeed at the top along with the Ashes. The 96-Test veteran acknowledges that Indian team is a top-quality side; hence it would be a stiff challenge yet again the upcoming summer. Virat Kohli’s men would certainly find a side comprising of Steve Smith, David Warner, and an in-form Marnus Labuschagne challenging to overcome.

“It’s getting up there to the pinnacle series alongside Ashes. Obviously, they have got a side full of superstars and it’s going to be an amazing challenge this summer,” Lyon stated as quoted by Times of India.

You definitely don’t like losing games or series while playing for Australia: Nathan Lyon

Australia’s highest wicket-taker amongst off-spinners went on to concede that it is a terrible feeling to lose matches or series for the national team. Nevertheless, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging that India vastly outplayed them the previous time and is looking to settle the scores on this occasion. In 96 Tests, the New South Wales spinner has 390 wickets, including 85 against India with seven five-wicket hauls.

“You never like losing series or games of cricket for Australia. Obviously, India, a couple of years ago, they outplayed us so we are looking to have those guys come out here,” the veteran spinner added.

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