Cricket

Virat Kohli's Mind Games with Nathan Lyon: A Battle of Wits and Federer ForehandsSledging and psychological warfare have long been synonymous with Australian cricket. However, there are certain players who the Aussies tend to leave alone, knowing that any attempt to unsettle them only fuels their determination. Virat Kohli is one such player, and his history against Australia is a testament to his ability to rise above the noise and perform at his best.Ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon recalled a memorable encounter with Kohli during the 2014 Test at the Adelaide Oval. Lyon revealed that Kohli, while batting with ease, would repeatedly approach the non-striker's end and whisper "Federer.""I was like, 'Oh, okay, what's this?'" Lyon said. "He kept doing it, every time he'd come down there, he was like 'Federer, Federer.' And I said, 'Mate, I don't know if I'm wrong, but are we playing the wrong sport if you think you're Roger Federer?' And he goes, 'Nah, nah, I've got a beautiful forehand.'"Kohli's playful banter was a testament to his confidence and ability to stay focused amidst the pressure of a Test match. Despite Lyon's attempts to unsettle him, Kohli went on to score centuries in both innings, leading India to a narrow defeat by just 48 runs.Kohli's dominance in red-ball cricket in Australia is well-documented. He has scored six hundreds from 13 Tests, averaging 54.08. However, his form has dipped in recent times, with an average of just 22.72 in his six Test matches this season.After a disappointing 0-3 series loss to New Zealand at home, Kohli enters his seventh tour to Australia with a point to prove. He has scored just one fifty this year and his last Test century came in July 2023 against the West Indies.India's hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championships final rest heavily on their performance in Australia. They need to win four Tests to secure a direct berth in the final, which is scheduled to be held at Lord's in June 2025.Kohli's ability to rise above the sledging and perform at his best will be crucial to India's chances. His experience and determination will be tested once again as he faces the challenge of the Australian conditions and the relentless mind games of the home team.

Veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon believes that rival players often serve as the "best coaches", acknowledging that his Indian counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin has "taught" him a great deal through their faceoffs since 2011-12.Having made their Test debuts in the same year, Lyon and Ashwin will face each other for the eighth time in the longest format during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy five-Test series beginning in Perth on November 22."Ash (Ashwin) is an incredible bowler. I’ve gone head-to-head with him for basically my whole career, so I’ve learned a lot from Ash," Lyon told Fox Cricket."He’s an incredibly smart bowler, and he’s able to learn and adapt very quickly, and I think the best bowlers in the world are able to do that. He used his skills to benefit himself and his team.""So, you’ve got to give credit where credit’s due, he was the best bowler (in 2020/21), as he usually is. So, hats off to Ash."It will be Ashwin's fifth Test tour of Australia, where he has claimed 39 wickets in 10 Tests at an average of 42.15.Lyon further admitted to having studied Ashwin's bowling closely, especially before Australia toured India in the last few years."He’s taught me a lot,” Lyon said. “I’m a big believer in the players that you play against are your best coaches that you eventually come across.""I’ve watched a lot of his footage heading over to India, the way he goes about it here in Australia, see if I can pick up anything."The way I look at cricket is that I’ve never met anyone who has conquered the game, never played against or with anyone who’s conquered the game.""There’s so much to learn in this great game, and there’s so much for me to learn from Ash. He’s a world-class bowler. He’s taken over 500 Test match wickets, and he should be extremely proud of that."Ashwin (21.76) outshines Lyon (30.81) in terms of having the best Test bowling average in Asia. However, the Australian has better bowling figures outside Asia — Lyon: 30.09, Ashwin: 33.14.Asked if they could face again post this tour, Lyon reckoned, “Spin bowling is a craft that the older you get, the better you get with age.”"There’s definitely no limit for me, and I don’t think there should be a limit for us as well. He’s absolutely world-class, and there’s a series in a couple of years’ time. So, who knows?"Asked about the secret of his success on non-spinning tracks, Lyon quipped: "I know Jadeja reads all of this stuff, so I can’t really share all my secrets."""My big thing is spinning up the back of the ball and getting bounce, but it’s a hard craft to be able to do that in Australia. Your size for error is extremely small,” he said.They may not have won a Test series against India in nearly a decade, but Lyon feels their World Test Championship final triumph last year would give them the edge."India’s got the wood over us in the past few series, but if you’re looking at the World Test Championship (final) in England, we were able to beat them there, and I know that should give us a bit of confidence heading into (this summer)," Lyon said."We understand that we’re coming up against a world-class side, but we can take a lot of confidence out of where we are at as an Australian cricket team.""I feel like we’re on the journey to becoming a great team. We’re not there yet. There’s a bit of work to do, but we have the opportunity to do something pretty special this summer."India are reeling from an unprecedented 0-3 home defeat against New Zealand, a result Lyon believes will make the second-ranked team even more determined.“I think they’re extremely dangerous. They’re a class outfit, and they know their best preparation and how to come out here and perform. It’s going to be a cracking Test series.”"It’s been a long ten years since Australia’s held the trophy. There’s only a few of us that would probably be in the squad that’s actually held the trophy, so it’s time to bring it home," he concluded.

India-Australia Rivalry Heats Up Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyAs the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia approaches, the verbal sparring has commenced. Former Australian greats have identified Virat Kohli as India's "key player" and urged the hosts to "go hard" on the emotional Indian captain.Amidst the serious banter, a lighthearted video has emerged featuring current Australian players discussing the upcoming series. Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, and Nathan Lyon engage in a humorous exchange.Marsh recalls India's disastrous 36-all out in the first Test of their 2021 tour of Australia. Khawaja reminds Hazlewood of his impressive 5/8 performance in that match, but Lyon interjects that Australia ultimately lost the series.Marsh attempts to lighten the mood by showing a picture of Rohit Sharma with Lyon and Starc. Starc boasts of dismissing the Indian captain eight times in Tests, but Lyon corrects him, saying, "Actually it's nine, but who's counting?"Khawaja then reveals a card stating that Australia has lost the last four Border-Gavaskar Trophies. Marsh dismisses the card, claiming he has removed all the bad ones from the deck.The first Test of the series begins in Perth on November 22. India must win four Tests in Australia to qualify directly for the World Test Championships final at Lord's in June 2025.

Nathan Lyon Deemed More "Complete" Bowler Than Ravichandran Ashwin by Former South African Test CricketerFormer South African Test cricketer Paul Adams has sparked a debate by asserting that Australian spinner Nathan Lyon possesses a more "complete" skillset than his Indian counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin. Adams's comments come ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Test series between India and Australia.Both Lyon and Ashwin are widely regarded as elite spinners in modern cricket, boasting over 500 Test wickets each. However, Adams believes Lyon's versatility across different conditions gives him an advantage."I still think Nathan Lyon has a more complete game in terms of competing in the subcontinent and in Australia or South Africa, those types of conditions, than Ashwin," Adams stated.Adams, renowned for his unconventional "frog in a blender" bowling action, highlighted Lyon's ability to generate overspin as a crucial factor. He contrasted this with Ashwin, whose carrom ball adds a unique dimension to his bowling.Adams also addressed the absence of Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami from the upcoming series against Australia. He expressed his belief that Shami's absence will be a significant blow to the Indian team, especially on Australian pitches."I think he (Shami) will be a major miss for India, given the Australian conditions," Adams said.The former South African cricketer expects Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to assume a more prominent role in the bowling department in Shami's absence.

Josh Hazlewood will make his long-awaited return to competitive cricket for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland, marking his first appearance of the season. The experienced fast bowler had been sidelined due to illness but is now set to ramp up his preparations for the upcoming Test series against India.Hazlewood's inclusion in the NSW squad comes as Nathan Lyon has been rested after bowling a significant number of overs in the previous two Shield matches. The legspinner is expected to return for the Test series but will not feature in the upcoming fixture.The absence of Lyon and several other players due to international and Australia A commitments has significantly impacted the teams for round three of the Shield. NSW will be without Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, Sam Konstas, and Josh Phillippe, while Queensland will miss Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Mark Steketee, Gurinder Sandhu, and Callum Vidler.Despite the player unavailability, both NSW and Queensland have named strong squads. NSW will welcome back allrounder Jack Edwards from a hamstring injury, while Tanveer Sangha will replace Lyon as the legspinner. Queensland will be led by Mitchell Swepson, with Usman Khawaja and Matthew Renshaw providing experience in the batting lineup.South Australia, who are also missing key players due to national and Australia A call-ups, will be captained by Alex Carey. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been in excellent form and will be looking to continue his run-scoring against Victoria.The upcoming round of Shield matches will provide valuable preparation for the players involved in the upcoming Test series against India. Hazlewood's return will be particularly important for NSW, as he aims to regain match fitness and sharpness ahead of the first Test in Nagpur.

Nathan Lyon, Australia's premier off-spinner, has taken on the mantle of preserving the legacy of spin bowling following the tragic loss of Shane Warne. With the potential to join Warne as one of Australia's top two wicket-takers this season, Lyon feels a responsibility to keep the art of spin alive.Lyon's longevity has been instrumental in Australia's recent success, having played 100 consecutive Tests before a calf injury sidelined him in the Ashes last year. Now 36, Lyon has no plans to retire anytime soon, aiming to play until his 40th birthday and potentially the 2027 Ashes in England.While Lyon acknowledges that he has not yet considered his legacy or potential successors, he recognizes the importance of promoting spin bowling in the wake of Warne's passing. Warne's revival of the art in the 1990s inspired a generation of bowlers, and Lyon feels a duty to continue that legacy."I do see the responsibility of flying the flag for the spinners around the country," Lyon said. "Especially with the passing of Warnie, I feel like there is a big role for me to ensure that spin stays cool."Lyon's passion for spin bowling is evident in his mentorship of young spinners like Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Tanveer Sangha. He believes that Sangha, in particular, has the potential to become a superstar of the game."What he can offer for New South Wales and Australia going forward is going to be nothing but amazing," Lyon said of Sangha. "He's going to be a superstar of the game."Lyon's commitment to spin bowling extends beyond his own performances. He is determined to inspire future generations of spinners and ensure that the art remains a vital part of the game.

Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey has sent a resounding message to the Indian team ahead of their upcoming tour of Australia, delivering a magnificent century in South Australia's Sheffield Shield draw against New South Wales.Carey's second-innings knock of 111 from 158 deliveries was a crucial contribution, helping South Australia recover from a precarious position of 23 for 4. The innings marked his most successful start to a Sheffield Shield season since his Test debut in 2021.Carey's efforts came after he finished last summer with an unbeaten 98 against New Zealand, providing reassurance for an Australian side that will be without Cameron Green for at least part of the summer due to a back injury.On Friday, Carey steadied the ship after Test teammate Nathan Lyon sparked a collapse of 4 for 9 as the visitors chased 389 for victory. Lyon dismissed Travis Head, Nathan McAndrew, and Conor McInerney in quick succession, leaving South Australia in dire straits.Carey's arrival at the crease proved pivotal, as he forged a 182-run partnership with captain Nathan McSweeney, who also notched up a brilliant century. Carey's half-century came off a sweep shot past deep midwicket, guiding South Australia into triple figures.Just after lunch, Carey brought up his seventh first-class century with a single to deep cover. He was eventually dismissed for 111, caught at deep leg slip off Tanveer Sangha.Carey's ton was a fitting response to rival gloveman Josh Inglis, who had hit a century for Western Australia earlier this week. McSweeney continued to impress, facing 283 balls throughout the final day and putting South Australia in a strong position.Lyon's early heroics could not be repeated, as Moises Henriques handed the ball to Nic Maddinson late on, acknowledging that a result was unlikely.Carey's performance is a timely reminder of his quality and will be a boost for Australia as they prepare for the Indian tour. With Green's absence, Carey's experience and form will be invaluable to the team.

Nathan Lyon's Bushwhacking Adventure: A Lost Ball and a Hilarious SearchDuring a Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and South Australia, Australian star bowler Nathan Lyon found himself on an unexpected mission: searching for a lost ball in the bushes. The incident occurred when a batter hit the ball with such force that it soared over the fence and disappeared into the undergrowth.Lyon, known for his meticulous approach to bowling, embarked on a thorough search for the missing ball. However, his initial efforts proved futile as he retrieved the wrong ball. Undeterred, he continued his quest, assisted by his teammates.The video footage of Lyon's bushwhacking adventure has gone viral on social media, eliciting laughter and amusement from cricket fans worldwide. Cricket Australia shared the videos on Instagram, adding the caption: "Swipe across to see the 🐐 having more luck on the field than he did in the bushes 😂 #SheffieldShield."Lyon's search for the lost ball highlights the challenges that bowlers face during matches. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to locate the ball, which remained lost in the bushes. The incident serves as a reminder that even the most experienced cricketers can encounter unexpected obstacles on the field.Lyon's Preparations for the Border-Gavaskar TrophyThe lost ball incident comes as Lyon prepares to take the field in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. The first Test is scheduled to start in Perth on November 22.In recent years, India has gained the upper hand in the series, winning the last four encounters against Australia. Lyon is aware of the challenge that lies ahead and has been studying the Indian batting lineup, particularly wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant."You're bowling against someone like Rishabh Pant, who is electric. He's got all the skill in the world. As a bowler, your room for error is so small. So you've got to be good. It's a challenge as a bowler if I'm going to get hit for six. I'm not afraid about getting hit for six," Lyon said.Lyon's strategy against Pant will be to keep him in his crease and force him to defend more often. He believes that this approach will create opportunities for dismissals.

Alex Carey's blistering 90 has given South Australia a glimmer of hope in their Sheffield Shield clash against New South Wales, but Nathan Lyon's late burst has put the Blues firmly in control.Carey, who has been in impressive form for Australia in white-ball cricket, carried his momentum into the red-ball arena, smashing 90 from just 85 balls. His innings was a counter-attacking masterclass, peppered with four sixes and numerous boundaries.After arriving at the crease with South Australia in trouble at 87 for 3, Carey took the game by the scruff of the neck. He targeted Tanveer Sangha, who had earlier dismissed Travis Head, and hit him for a series of boundaries.Carey's knock came after Head had also hit two sixes in his 30, but the left-hander was dismissed by Sangha when he was drawn into an edge outside off stump.Undeterred, Carey continued to attack, hitting back-to-back boundaries off Jack Nisbet and slog-sweeping Lyon for another six. He also reverse-swept and drove Sangha to the boundary, showing his full range of strokes.However, Carey's aggression ultimately proved his undoing, as he was caught in the deep trying to take on Lyon. His dismissal triggered a collapse of 4 for 5, with Lyon taking three wickets in 14 balls to finish with 3 for 45.Lyon's wickets included Daniel Drew, who was caught-and-bowled for a duck, and Ben Manenti, who was bowled by a ball that spun out of the rough. Captain Nathan McSweeney was also run out on 55, adding to South Australia's woes."I've been itching to get back playing. It's what I love doing," Lyon said. "I feel like I've been training the house down and in a really good headspace."South Australia will need to bat with more resilience on day three if they are to avoid a heavy defeat. The Blues, on the other hand, will be confident of wrapping up the match quickly and securing their first win of the season.