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Australia’s success at the 2019 Ashes is still fresh in the memory, but today’s unrelenting cricket schedule affords little time for contentment.
In less than one month, a new Ashes cycle begins — and a fresh challenger awaits.
For gun Australian bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon that means casting an eye forward to the first Test on November 21, when they will face Pakistan at the Gabba.
Playing Pakistan at home hardly sounds as scary as playing England away. In 12 tours dating back to 1964, the world’s seventh-ranked Test side hasn’t won a series in Australia. Furthermore, Pakistan has lost eight series in a row down under.
But Hazlewood and Lyon know that Pakistan is a team capable of beating anyone on its day — it just depends whether Jekyll or Hyde turns up.
“Probably not knowing what to expect of Pakistan is their greatest threat,” Hazlewood told foxsports.com.au at Kayo’s summer of cricket launch event in Sydney.
“Just when you think they’re in doubt is when they can pull out a performance, just like last time they were here.”
Hazlewood was referring to the Brisbane day-night Test in 2016 when Pakistan came within 40 runs of victory having made 450 in the fourth innings.
He added: “It’s that unpredictability with Pakistan which is their biggest threat.”
True to form, Pakistan this week pulled some surprises at the selection table for the tour, naming two uncapped, teenage fast bowlers and dumping its captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. Musa Khan, 17, and 16-year-old Naseem Shah were both named by chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq in Pakistan’s Test squad.
“You have to have a surprise package if you want to compete against Australia in Australia and these two fast bowlers (Musa and Naseem) have a very good attitude toward fast bowling,” he said Monday. “Yes, it’s a brave and bold decision to select the likes of Musa and Naseem, but we know that their fresh and attacking approach will give us something different.”
But there are known quantities within Pakistan’s ranks, too, with the likes of Babar Azam and new captain Azhar Ali singled out by Nathan Lyon as key threats to Australia.
“They’ve got some X-factors in there,” the off-spinner told foxsports.com.au. “The likes of Babar with the bat — he’s world class.
“But the captain Azhar Ali, he’s absolutely exceptional; He had a great series last time they were out here (406 runs at 81.20).
“They’ve got world class throughout the whole squad so we’re going to have to make sure that we’re doing our best job preparing well.
“When we get the opportunity, we’ve got to challenge their defence for long periods of time as bowlers, and hopefully our batsmen can bat for long periods as well.”
Despite the rigours of back-to-back World Cup and Ashes campaigns, Lyon said he is feeling refreshed after being afforded a three-week break. The 31-year-old said he switched off from cricket and enjoyed spending extra time with his two daughters during his break.
He has since returned to New South Wales’ camp, playing in the Sheffield Shield against Tasmania on the weekend. Lyon has also been picked to play on Wednesday in the One-Day Cup against the same opponents.
The first Test against Pakistan starts in Brisbane on November 21.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...t/news-story/41179262fbc58cbaf9f68bbbc4eb51ba
In less than one month, a new Ashes cycle begins — and a fresh challenger awaits.
For gun Australian bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon that means casting an eye forward to the first Test on November 21, when they will face Pakistan at the Gabba.
Playing Pakistan at home hardly sounds as scary as playing England away. In 12 tours dating back to 1964, the world’s seventh-ranked Test side hasn’t won a series in Australia. Furthermore, Pakistan has lost eight series in a row down under.
But Hazlewood and Lyon know that Pakistan is a team capable of beating anyone on its day — it just depends whether Jekyll or Hyde turns up.
“Probably not knowing what to expect of Pakistan is their greatest threat,” Hazlewood told foxsports.com.au at Kayo’s summer of cricket launch event in Sydney.
“Just when you think they’re in doubt is when they can pull out a performance, just like last time they were here.”
Hazlewood was referring to the Brisbane day-night Test in 2016 when Pakistan came within 40 runs of victory having made 450 in the fourth innings.
He added: “It’s that unpredictability with Pakistan which is their biggest threat.”
True to form, Pakistan this week pulled some surprises at the selection table for the tour, naming two uncapped, teenage fast bowlers and dumping its captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. Musa Khan, 17, and 16-year-old Naseem Shah were both named by chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq in Pakistan’s Test squad.
“You have to have a surprise package if you want to compete against Australia in Australia and these two fast bowlers (Musa and Naseem) have a very good attitude toward fast bowling,” he said Monday. “Yes, it’s a brave and bold decision to select the likes of Musa and Naseem, but we know that their fresh and attacking approach will give us something different.”
But there are known quantities within Pakistan’s ranks, too, with the likes of Babar Azam and new captain Azhar Ali singled out by Nathan Lyon as key threats to Australia.
“They’ve got some X-factors in there,” the off-spinner told foxsports.com.au. “The likes of Babar with the bat — he’s world class.
“But the captain Azhar Ali, he’s absolutely exceptional; He had a great series last time they were out here (406 runs at 81.20).
“They’ve got world class throughout the whole squad so we’re going to have to make sure that we’re doing our best job preparing well.
“When we get the opportunity, we’ve got to challenge their defence for long periods of time as bowlers, and hopefully our batsmen can bat for long periods as well.”
Despite the rigours of back-to-back World Cup and Ashes campaigns, Lyon said he is feeling refreshed after being afforded a three-week break. The 31-year-old said he switched off from cricket and enjoyed spending extra time with his two daughters during his break.
He has since returned to New South Wales’ camp, playing in the Sheffield Shield against Tasmania on the weekend. Lyon has also been picked to play on Wednesday in the One-Day Cup against the same opponents.
The first Test against Pakistan starts in Brisbane on November 21.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...t/news-story/41179262fbc58cbaf9f68bbbc4eb51ba
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