New Delhi, June 7
As Australia gear up to defend their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title at Lord’s from June 11, veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has cautioned his team against underestimating South Africa’s powerful batting line-up.
While Australia enter the one-off final as favourites, Lyon is not taking anything for granted, especially given the Proteas’ red-hot form during the WTC cycle.
Speaking during Australia’s training session in Beckenham, Lyon acknowledged that while past experience in major finals could benefit his side, it won’t count for much once play begins.
"Having the experience of the guys who have won three (50-over) World Cups and T20 World Cups and obviously the World Test Championship final a couple of years ago, that experience and that pressure in those higher games, it's going to be, it's on our side isn't it but it doesn't mean anything when you come to the game," Lyon was quoted by ICC as saying.
"South Africa have got some world class batters and obviously they've got some unbelievable bowlers there as well so it's going to be a good challenge and obviously it's a one-off Test match.
“It's going to be different challenge and with foreign conditions and the Dukes ball."