In the second semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2019, hosts England are set to face Australia on Thursday (July 11). The two top-notch teams have already lined-up some prominent faces in the set-up. While speaking ahead of the game, former English off-spinner Graeme Swann has further lambasted Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon for his recent comments.
Recently, the senior Australia spinner Lyon maintained Australia will make it to the final of the World Cup by beating England in the semis.
Lyon remarked that Australia has ‘nothing to lose’.
“They have been the No. 1 team for a couple of years now. They should be going into this World Cup as favourites. It’s all on them. It’s their World Cup to lose if you ask me. We have got nothing to lose, only got stuff to gain. That’s the exciting thing about it,” Lyon had said earlier.
Earlier, in the league stage fixture, Australia had thrashed the Three Lions by 64 runs. Thus, they finished as the second-best team after India in the league fixtures of the World Cup.
Also, former England cricketer Swann believes England as a team has done a good job despite losing three matches in league fixtures.
Meanwhile, Kangaroos would want to replicate their show in the semis against England. Earlier, Joe Root maintained that England will be firm for the all-important clash as they Lyon’s comments won’t be a distraction.
Meanwhile, apart from the verbal battle, Australia had faced a heat due to the injuries to their crucial players ahead of the semis.
However, with David Warner going all guns blazing, Mitchell Starc, on the other hand, is breathing fire. Aaron Finch is somewhat in good stead before they will battle it out in Birmingham.
On the other side, England has done a terrific job by making good use of their players. Until last month, England were the No. 1 ODI ranked team before India replaced them following a magnificent run at the ODI showpiece.
It’s the most blatant panic call from Nathan Lyon: Graeme Swann
While echoing the comments of Root, Swann maintained it’s nothing, but it is visible that Australia is under pressure.
“Nathan Lyon has said England are the team ‘under pressure’ going into this one. And that his side will relish their underdog status. Come off it, Nathan. I’m no psychologist but I think that’s the most blatant panic call I’ve ever heard. ‘Nathan is prone to this kind of bluster so pay no attention. When a player says the pressure is on the opposition, it’s a sure sign their own team are feeling the pressure,” Swann told Betfair.
Swann admitted the fact that England had done exceedingly well apart from the occasional failures in the league stage fixtures.