- First Test of Ashes series to be played in Perth on November 21
Aussie cricket identity Kerry O’Keeffe believes off-spinner Nathan Lyon will be an afterthought in the Ashes series, as he predicted all five Tests will be dominated by pace bowling.
The man affectionately known as ‘Skull’ tipped the hosts to beat England 3-2, and was adamant Lyon won’t take many wickets.
It comes as Lyon, 37, needs just two more dismissals to surpass Glenn McGrath’s career haul of 563 Test scalps.
He will then move into second spot when it comes to Australia’s all-time leading wicket-takers, with the late Shane Warne the yardstick with 708 victims at Test level.
‘Lyon is a quality bowler but he needs conditions and he didn’t quite get them last year (against India),’ the Fox Cricket analyst said.
‘I think he might have been frustrated he took nine wickets in the series because conditions favoured pace.
Aussie cricket identity Kerry O’Keeffe believes off-spinner Nathan Lyon will play a limited role in the Ashes series, as he predicted all five Tests will be dominated by pace bowling
Lyon needs just two more dismissals to surpass Glenn McGrath’s haul of 563 Test scalps to move into second spot when it comes Australia’s all-time leading wicket-takers (pictured, with wife Emma)
At 37, Lyon could be considering retirement at Test level, making this series a potential Ashes swansong
‘I think we are going to see the same. I don’t think spin is going to be a real factor this summer.’
Lyon has been the subject of retirement speculation for some time and there has been speculation this will be his last Ashes series on home soil, if not his last Ashes altogether.
Regarded as the pinnacle of Test cricket, the series is held once every two years and alternates between being hosted by Australia and England.
O’Keeffe’s take comes as cricket legend Ian Botham slammed England’s preparation, which he believes ‘borders on arrogance.’
‘Beefy’ was stunned to hear the tourists will play only a single three-day warm-up against the England Lions at Lilac Hill before the first Test in Perth on November 21.
England hasn’t won a series on Australian soil in more than a decade – and Botham fears history will repeat itself.
‘I’m worried. We are going to wander in and have a little game with the ‘A’ team,’ Botham told the Old Boys, New Balls Podcast.
‘Not one (state match), which borders on arrogance. You’ve got to give yourself the chance.
‘The conditions are different when you play cricket in Australia: the sun, the heat, the bounce, the crowd, the Aussie players…you’ve got to get used to all that.
‘You are (also) not playing against the Australian cricket team, you’re playing against Australia – 24.5million people.’
Botham also dismissed the belief that quicks can get fit in the gym.
‘Look at the record with injuries – (Mark) Wood, (Jofra) Archer, Ben Stokes…they don’t play enough. You get fit by playing,’ he said.
‘If it goes horribly wrong, Mark Wood breaks down in the first game or Jofra Archer does or Ben (Stokes) can’t bowl, we are suddenly chasing the eight-ball before we’ve started. It is a worry.’
