World Test Championship final key to Australia's quest for greatness: Nathan Lyon

India Today

2 days ago

Nathan Lyon has said that the World Test Championship final is an important step in Australia's quest to become one of the greatest Test teams of all time. Australia are aiming to retain their crown as they face South Africa in the final at Lord's, starting from June 11. The Aussies were the only side not to lose a series during the entire WTC 2023-25 cycle, winning 4 out of 6 and finishing second on the table by winning 67.54 per cent of the points available to them. Speaking to the ICC, Lyon feels that it will be important that the side will see the coming week as a celebration piece. The spinner said that the goal of the current side is to become a great Australian team and the WTC final will be a step closer to it. advertisementAlso Read: What happens if WTC Final is drawn, tied or washed out?
'It is important that we look at this week as a celebration piece,' he said. "We've done incredibly well over the last couple of years, at home and away, and that is something that as a team, we should be really proud of."'In my eyes, we're on a journey to becoming a great Australian team. We're not there yet, I'm well aware of that, but that's our goal too. This game is another step up that ladder,' said Lyon. Lyon is expecting a tough competition from South Africa, who finished at the top of the standings. 'Yes, we've been here before, but South Africa qualified first during this World Test Championship,' Lyon continued.'Throughout these two years, they've done something really well to finish top, and so they deserve that home changing room leading into this game.advertisement'It's international cricket. We're expecting an extremely hard challenge and there's going to be a lot of problems out there, but we're going to have to be good enough to solve those problems ASAP.''Australia bowling group still trying to get better'While the Australian bowling line-up is known for the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, Lyon finds himself as a vital cog in the team and has 66 wickets during the 2023-25 cycle. The spinner said that the bowling group is constantly trying to get better and is leaving no stone unturned heading into the final. 'As a bowling squad, we are very proud of where we are currently at,' said Lyon.'But we're not leaving any stone unturned and we're still trying to get better as a bowling group."'I feel that spurs each and every one of us on to get better.'Must Watch