Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024: Nathan Lyon backs Aussie batters to come good

Australia is preparing to host India for the eagerly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, with the first Test set to commence at Perth Stadium on Sunday, November 22. As Australia welcomes India, the team is keen to alter the current series dynamics. Australia has not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since the 2014-15 season, and the upcoming series represents a significant opportunity to shift that narrative. In anticipation of the series, veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has voiced his expectations for the team's batting performance. Lyon has specifically called for higher standards from Australia’s top-order batsmen, including Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head.

Lyon has articulated a desire for scores in the range of 180-200 runs from these key players, emphasizing that mere scores of 101-107 are not sufficient. His comments reflect a push for substantial, game-changing contributions from Australia's batting lineup to secure a successful series. By setting a higher benchmark for individual innings, Lyon hopes to see performances that will make a significant impact and help Australia regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“We need big runs. We need the guys, who are talented enough to get the hundred, The likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head, all the top order. I don’t want 101 or 107, I want 180 and 200,” Nathan Lyon told  Australian women’s team captain Alysa Healy on the “Willow Talk” podcast.

“If I will have a day off, I am pretty sure that I will be more effective and can help my team win the Test match,” he added.

Nathan Lyon has also expressed his anticipation about facing Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant again in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Lyon noted that Pant has been selected for India’s forthcoming Test series against Bangladesh, which fuels his excitement about renewing his competitive encounters with these prominent batters. The prospect of facing Kohli and Pant adds a layer of intensity and anticipation to the series, highlighting the high stakes and personal rivalries that often characterize Test cricket.

In addition, Lyon addressed the ongoing debate regarding the future of Test cricket, particularly the concern that it might be losing its appeal. Lyon firmly disagreed with the notion that Test cricket is on the decline. He believes that the Border-Gavaskar series, in particular, continues to grow in significance and excitement each year. According to Lyon, the series has evolved into one of the most anticipated contests in international cricket, drawing increasing interest and maintaining its allure among fans and players alike.

Lyon’s perspective underscores his commitment to and enthusiasm for Test cricket, reaffirming his belief in the format's enduring value and importance. His comments reflect a broader sentiment within the cricketing community that, despite challenges, Test cricket remains a vital and vibrant part of the sport, especially when showcased through high-stakes series like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“I am really forward to play the five-match series. This series is getting bigger and bigger and when people says that Test cricket is dying, I disagree. When you walk on the street and talk to the local people, they are already saying ‘India this summer eh’. This series is in the back of people’s mind,” Lyon concluded.