India and Australia will play a five match ODI and three-match T20 series in India starting from 17th September. Australia has announced their squad to tour India, and the squad is without the services of Nathan Lyon. Lyon was the pick of the bowlers for Australia on their tour of Bangladesh where he picked-up 22 wickets in two Tests. He was also adjudged the man of the match in the second Test for his match winning performance of 13 for 154 as well as the man of the series.
This decision to not pick Nathan Lyon in the ODI squad for the tour of India has disappointed former Australian great Craig McDermott. McDermott feels that Australia should have picked Lyon for the One Day series. Australia is already missing Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood from their side due to injuries.
Australia lost the Test series 2-1 when they traveled India earlier this year, and they would like to turn the result around in the One Day series. They managed to salvage some pride by leveling the Test series in Bangladesh. The Australian side is still in the rebuilding phase, and they would like to give some fight to the strong Indian team.
Craig McDermott has mentored the current crop of fast bowlers in the Australian team, and he feels this crop of bowlers have the capability of destroying any batting line up even without the services of Starc and Hazlewood. In an interview, McDermott revealed his disappointment and his prediction for the series.
Do you reckon Nathan Lyon, who has done well in the sub-continent soil in recent times, should have been part of the limited-overs side?
Yes, he should have been to India, but the Australian selectors don’t seem to be picking him for the shorter formats. Nathan has bowled very well in Bangladesh and even in India earlier this year — he was outstanding. I don’t know why he doesn’t play ODI cricket as often as he should considering that he started his career in Twenty20 cricket. He has done well in whatever opportunities he has had in the shorter formats.
Where would you rate Lyon among the current crop of spinners?
His statistics are pretty good, and he is going to play for Australia for a long period of time. Lyon took some time to find his footing (in international cricket). He was expected to get wickets on tracks that offered turn and I think he struggled with that responsibility initially, but he has turned things around and continues to get better.
What would be your prediction for this series?
I will be going with Australia. They will win the five match ODI series 3-2 and the subsequent T20s 2-1.