England lean on mechanical GOAT

AUSTRALIA could face an Ashes backlash for an act of Covid chivalry after loaning England a “mechanical GOAT’’ to conquer their fear of Nathan Lyon.

For all the talk of fast bowling dominance in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Wednesday, England have identified Lyon as the man who must be kept on the canvas after his struggles against India last season.

Knowing they have no spinner quite like him, the English asked Queensland cricket officials for permission to loan a special Merlin bowling machine, which can replicate Lyon’s challenging off-spin.

The machine, normally based in Brisbane, was taken to the Gold Coast for English training sessions and used to mimic Lyon’s deliveries, including one in particular that triggers catches for close-in fieldsmen on the leg side.

There have been eras where home nations would not be as generous but a sense of Covid chivalry has swept the sporting world and Australia has been at pains to ensure the English team were as happy as they could be in quarantine. This is a huge Test for Lyon, nicknamed the GOAT, who has 399 wickets from 100 Tests and will become just the third Australian bowler after Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath to take 400 wickets with his first strike of the match.

English veteran Stuart Broad admits his team has underestimated Lyon, who has taken 19 and 21 wickets in his two Ashes series in Australia.

“I actually think he’s their key man,” Broad said of Lyon.

“We’ve played Lyon in Australia very poorly for long periods of time. This is the series where that has to change.

“We can’t pretend we’ve played him well.’’