Despite a day spent in New Zealand’s mud, Nathan Lyon is adamant Australia can scratch out a second Test victory when play resumes in Christchurch.
Australia fell in a gap over the weekend at Hagley Oval, seeing their 94-run first-innings lead evaporate by the hands of the Kiwi batters, after which fumbling their chase.
The vacationers have been 4-77 at stumps after the Black Caps set Australia 279 to win.
Not place, however an enchancment on the 4-34 on the scoreboard with round half an hour left to play on Sunday.
“The usual roller coaster of emotions,” Lyon mentioned, downplaying Australia’s troubles.
Australia have a current blueprint for run-chase success within the reminiscence banks: the primary Ashes Test in Birmingham in June.
The pitch at Edgbaston – the place Australia ran down 282 for a memorable victory – bears comparability with the Hagley Oval deck.
Nine of the XI from that memorable chase are taking part in in Christchurch.
“There’s a lot of belief in that change room, and so there should be,” Lyon mentioned.
Defeat for Australia would elevate issues over the vacationers’ getting old facet – a debate which is able to linger via the 9 months till their subsequent Tests: a five-match dwelling sequence towards India.
It would additionally imply Australia have gained solely considered one of their previous 5 sequence – at dwelling to Pakistan this summer time.
Pat Cummins’ facet retained the Ashes and Frank Worrell trophies with drawn sequence towards England and West Indies.
A extra optimistic outlook could be that Australia stay arduous to beat: solely India have earned a sequence win over the Aussies throughout 16 sequence within the final 5 years.
Lyon was bullish on the probabilities of Australia bucking New Zealand’s momentum on Monday and coming dwelling sturdy.
Travis Head will resume on 17, alongside Mitch Marsh on 27.
“We’ve still got two world-class batters in the crease,” Lyon mentioned.
“With Heady and Marshy, the way that they bat – and then you’ve got Alex (Carey) coming in next – anything is possible.
“We’ve been in a position to tick off a few totals prior to now.
“There’s a lot of confidence within our batting group, and us bowlers … pride ourselves on our batting.
“So we’ll give it our greatest probability if it comes all the way down to that.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
