Nathan Lyon has registered 56 wickets against South Africa in 18 Test matches. Australia finished second in the league table during the 2023-25 WTC cycle, behind South Africa, having claimed 67.54 per cent of the points on offer to them
Nathan Lyon (Pic: File Pic)
Star Australian spinner Nathan Lyon believes defending the World Test Championship (WTC) title will be 'important' on their path to becoming 'one of the greatest Australian teams of all time'.
"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," Lyon to ICC. "It is important that we look at this week as a celebration piece. 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," he added.
Australia are all set to lock horns against South Africa for the WTC final, scheduled to be played at the Lord's Cricket Ground from June 11 to 15.
The 37-year-old spinner has registered 56 wickets against South Africa in 18 Test matches. Australia finished second in the league table during the 2023-25 WTC cycle, behind South Africa, having claimed 67.54 per cent of the points on offer to them.
"Yes, we've been here before, but South Africa qualified first during this World Test Championship. 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," said the veteran of 136 Test matches.
Lyon heaped praise on the bowling unit, which include the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland.
"As a bowling squad, we are very proud of where we are currently at. 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," concluded Lyon, who has 553 Test wickets.
WTC final: Squads
South Africa squad: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy.
Australia squad: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett.
(With PTI Inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
