Lyon set to finish the job
NATHAN Lyon is primed to feast on England’s carcass today after Australia scorched its way towards a win in the fifth Test at the SCG.
England was burnt to a crisp after a session and a half in Sydney’s 47C heat, before a declaration opened the gate for Lyon to finish the kill on a turning pitch.
Lyon (2-31) ensured it should only be a matter of time until Australia lifts the urn as 4-0 victors today, as he blazed through Alastair Cook’s defences in his first over with a stunning delivery that epitomised the off-spinner’s dominance this summer.
Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are only the fourth attack to finish a series with at least 20 wickets each.
England limped to stumps at 4-93 and the Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow partnership shapes as the final resistance, as Australia chases the final six wickets required.
“He’s had a massive effect on this series and along with Steve Smith he’s been their star performer in that he’s allowed the seamers decent periods of rest but also seemed a constant threat,” said England assistant coach, Paul Farbrace.
“He’s taken wickets throughout the series, which is a testament to his high level of skill. We’ve not got away from his stranglehold.”
Shaun Marsh said the conditions were tailor-made for Lyon to wreak havoc.
“Gaz is obviously the key tomorrow,” he said after Australia declared at 7-649. “The wicket is definitely suiting him and especially with the lefthanders he’ll come into play. He showed his class today.”
Spearheads Starc and Cummins took full advantage of England’s fatigue, dismissing Mark Stoneman and James Vince. But Lyon looms large on a fifth-day wicket.
Australia’s bowling has been the clear difference between the two sides in the series. Starc (22) is the leading wicket-taker but Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon each have 20 apiece. FIFTH TEST, STUMPS, DAY FOUR
James Anderson is England’s best with 17 wickets.
Australia could have been sipping champagne last night after three strikes before and after tea left England scrambling at 3-43. Joe Root (42 not out) also copped a nasty blow to the finger that could present a worry for England heading into the one-day matches, although he battled on.
Spin king Shane Warne marvelled at Lyon’s systematic dismantling of Cook as a piece of off-spinning genius.
“He set him up beautifully. It was as good an over as you can bowl as an off-spinner in the first over,” Warne said on Channel 9. “It was just excel- lent. A man in form and who has got confidence.”
Cummins and Lyon both went to 20 wickets and Hazlewood could have gone to 21 if Shaun Marsh at first slip didn’t grass a chance off Cook.
It mattered little as Cook fell to Lyon a short time later.
Shaun (156) and Mitchell Marsh (101) earlier piled on the first century partnership by Australian brothers since the Waugh twins, Mark and Steve, back in 2001.