Off-spinner Nathan Lyon is confident that Australia’s preparations for the World Test Championship final will remain unaffected by the Ashes series, considering the upcoming match against India as their “grand final.” The highly anticipated WTC final between India and Australia is scheduled to commence on June 7 at The Oval.
Meanwhile, the five-Test Ashes series against England, beginning on June 16, has dominated headlines, with Australia aiming to win the prestigious series away from home after 22 years.
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Lyon emphasized the significance of the WTC final, stating, “Yes, we are playing the Ashes but we’ve got a big game that we’re up for. This (WTC final) is our grand final, and then our season basically starts again.” He expressed satisfaction with their planning and conveyed excitement for the upcoming match, acknowledging the anticipation surrounding it.
Australia’s preparations for the Ashes will be limited to the WTC final as they won’t have any warm-up games beforehand. However, Lyon dismissed any influence from their 1-2 loss to India earlier this year, stating, “You can wipe off anything that happened in India.” He praised both teams’ well-rounded squads and anticipated a challenging contest in the WTC final.
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The WTC final is set to take place at The Oval in London, offering traditional English conditions with the Duke’s ball, further adding excitement and unpredictability to the match. Lyon recognized the talent of India’s batting lineup and their skilled fast bowlers, expressing readiness for the good challenge that lies ahead.
With a fresh start in the WTC final, Lyon looks forward to the intense competition, saying, “It’s a fresh start. I’m looking forward to it.” The clash between India and Australia promises to be a captivating Test match, featuring two highly talented squads battling it out for cricket’s ultimate prize.
