Ashes 2017: Nathan Lyon says Australia are ready to end England careers in fiery attack just days before series begins
The off-spinner also said he hoped Mitchell Starc can emulate Mitchell Johnson and accused Matt Prior of trying to get out of the 2013/14 tour because he was 'scared'
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Your support makes all the difference.Nathan Lyon has launched an extraordinary attack on England just days before the Ashes begin, warning that Australia’s fast bowlers are relishing the prospect of ending careers as they aim to replicate the carnage caused by Mitchell Johnson four years ago.
The off-spinner admitted watching England disintegrate as Johnson’s 37 wickets paved the way for a 5-0 series whitewash in 2013-14 was the highlight of his career.
He also accused Matt Prior, England’s wicketkeeper who was dropped for the final two matches of that series, of trying to get out of the tour before the third Test in Perth because he was “scared”.
“Being part of that squad [in 2013-14] was unbelievable, and it’s one of my fondest series,” said Lyon. “Seeing Mitchell Johnson scare all the Poms was unbelievable. You could sense the fear. I was at leg slip and I nearly had to push a couple of the guys back towards the stumps!
“It was an unbelievable feeling knowing that they were broken. Leading into Perth we knew that they were, we knew Matt Prior wanted to fly home before the game started and he was one of the senior players. He was scared. It’s four years ago. I think he’s alright now.”
Prior, who averaged 17.83 in that series but was only dismissed by Johnson twice in six innings, has responded to Lyon’s claims, saying: “That’s absolutely laughable. If that was the case and I was scared why didn’t I go home then?
“That’s completely ridiculous and all I can do is laugh. It’s wholeheartedly untrue. I stayed out there and what hurt me more was that I got dropped for the last two Tests.”
Lyon believes Joe Root’s team are on course for more pain when the upcoming series starts at the Gabba on Thursday, telling England they will face two men in Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins who are quicker than Johnson as well as “the best bowler in the world” in Josh Hazelwood.
“They are [faster than Johnson] in the nets, definitely,” he said. “I saw Steve Smith land on his backside the other day, Johnson didn’t do that. To have two guys bowling that fast, I know I’m not getting in the nets to face them because they are bowling way too quick for my liking. They are class bowlers but the best bowler in the world is Josh Hazlewood.”
Jonathan Trott, who flew home with a stress-related illness after the Brisbane Test, Graeme Swann, who retired after Perth, and Kevin Pietersen, never selected again following the series, were three players whose international careers were effectively terminated by the end of the 2013-14 Ashes tour. Coach Andy Flower also lost his job, while Root was dropped for the final Test in Sydney.
Asked if he hoped Australia could end careers again this time, Lyon said: “I hope so. I didn’t end any careers. Mitchell Johnson ended them. If you ask him he’ll say it was quite satisfying if you look at his past, the pressures the English put him under with the Barmy Army and everything.
“I know Root got dropped last time when he was here, so it’d be good to get him dropped again wouldn’t it? If we can start by opening up that crack, it’s pretty crucial. There’s a lot of scars for the English guys, especially coming over here, especially when we have two guys bowling 150ks not just one now.”
Lyon also thinks England’s batsmen will enter the series underestimating him. “Definitely,” he said. “Ask Joe Root. He definitely does. It’s part of the game being a tiny little off-spinner who bowls at 86ks an hour, not 150. I love being the underdog.”
And the prospect of taking wickets against England makes it all the more special for Lyon.
“Bloody oath,” he said. “As a kid growing up in country New South Wales, me and my brother threw up the bat and whoever lost the toss was England. You wanted to win the toss in backyard cricket.”
Of England’s current top seven, only Root, Alastair Cook and Jonny Bairstow have played an away Ashes Test before and newcomers Mark Stoneman, James Vince and Dawid Malan have played just 15 between them.
“I think it’s quite harsh to start comparing Malan and Vince to Kevin Pietersen,” said Lyon. “We will respect the new guys, everyone who is new to Ashes cricket, they don’t understand the pressures yet, but they no doubt will understand it pretty quickly.”
Meanwhile, Pat Cummins says watching Starc in the nets this week has been “frightening”.
The 24-year-old, who is back to his best after several years of injury problems, said: “When I’m going flat out it feels as fast as I’ve ever been.
“I don’t know whether I’m the fastest in the world. I reckon Starcy up the other end is as quick as anyone else. Seeing him bowl in the nets the last couple of days is pretty frightening. I’m not sure I would want to face him.”
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