Lyon backs up the hype

HE talked the talk. Now cult hero Nathan Lyon has walked the walk at the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, according to extest opener Simon Katich.

The former Australian batsman believed Lyon had already backed up his pre-Ashes sledging after leaving England in a spin at the Gabba.

The veteran off-spinner took 3-67 yesterday to complete match figures of 5-145 but Katich believed Lyon had achieved much more after becoming public enemy No.1 in England for his barbs.

“Lyon has played a crucial support role, you can see the confidence and I think that showed before the Test match with his comments,” Katich told Fox Sports.

“He reeled a few of the ex-England players in and took a bit of the pressure off the guys coming in and he has backed it up on the field.

“He wouldn’t have said that unless he was confident in his own ability.

“And he knows his record in Australia speaks for itself.”