Woodster
International Captain
How the England side look to play Nathan Lyon could be a key battle in how the Ashes are ultimately decided. Logic would dictate the England batsmen should look to be positive against Lyon, if they can hit Lyon out of the attack that puts pressure on the quicks to be brought back and with their injury records any chance England get to overload their workload can only be a positive thing.
Also with pace very much key to how Cummins and Starc operate, smaller breaks between spells can only nullify their pace to some degree.
Do England have the batsmen to carry out such a plan ? There's no Kevin Pietersen-style bat to really try and get at the spinner, or even a Ben Stokes at this stage. With pressure on Stoneman, Vince and Malan to keep their place in the side there may be a reluctance on their part to take any unnecessary risks, Cook will bat his usual way and Root will work the ball around effectively keeping the board ticking and looking to find the odd boundary, so that leaves Bairstow and the mid-lower order to try and take it to Lyon, a tall order.
The other thing is the quality of Nathan Lyon. I can't imagine he'd be too concerned should he see the likes of Stoneman or Cook charging down the wicket. Especially the left-handers, of which England will likely have 4 in the top 7.
Lyon's record at Brisbane is impressive, in six Tests he's taken 26 wickets at 27.46, with an economy of 3.15, and he has played against notorious good players of spin in those half a dozen Tests aswell including India and Pakistan. Assisted by a bit of extra bounce England are going to have to be positive without being reckless and if the boundaries are not forthcoming then manipulation of the ball is going to be critical.
Maybe a more proactive strategy could be employed when they get to places like Perth and Sydney where Lyon's record at these grounds is less impressive, averaging over 50 at them both. His excellent record at Adelaide may be slightly neutralised under lights.
Any thoughts ?
Also with pace very much key to how Cummins and Starc operate, smaller breaks between spells can only nullify their pace to some degree.
Do England have the batsmen to carry out such a plan ? There's no Kevin Pietersen-style bat to really try and get at the spinner, or even a Ben Stokes at this stage. With pressure on Stoneman, Vince and Malan to keep their place in the side there may be a reluctance on their part to take any unnecessary risks, Cook will bat his usual way and Root will work the ball around effectively keeping the board ticking and looking to find the odd boundary, so that leaves Bairstow and the mid-lower order to try and take it to Lyon, a tall order.
The other thing is the quality of Nathan Lyon. I can't imagine he'd be too concerned should he see the likes of Stoneman or Cook charging down the wicket. Especially the left-handers, of which England will likely have 4 in the top 7.
Lyon's record at Brisbane is impressive, in six Tests he's taken 26 wickets at 27.46, with an economy of 3.15, and he has played against notorious good players of spin in those half a dozen Tests aswell including India and Pakistan. Assisted by a bit of extra bounce England are going to have to be positive without being reckless and if the boundaries are not forthcoming then manipulation of the ball is going to be critical.
Maybe a more proactive strategy could be employed when they get to places like Perth and Sydney where Lyon's record at these grounds is less impressive, averaging over 50 at them both. His excellent record at Adelaide may be slightly neutralised under lights.
Any thoughts ?
