Nathan Lyon says Australia can sniff victory in the Adelaide Test

Sport360 staff 13:45 09/12/2018
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  • Nathan Lyon picked up six wickets in the second innings in Adelaide.

    Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon said his players believe they can pull off victory in the opening Test against India in Adelaide.

    The hosts face an uphill task to save the first Test after ending Day Four requiring 219 runs more run with six wickets remaining, after finishing on 104-4 at stumps.

    India resumed their second innings in a commanding position on 151-3 and added a further 156 runs on Sunday in Adelaide to leave Australia chasing a target of 323.

    Two wickets each for Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Shami strengthened the tourists’ position as the hosts lost openers Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris, as well as Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb.

    Lyon, who removed India captain Virat Kohli late on day three, put Australia right back into the match with fine figures of 6-122 – his 13th Test five-for.

    Cheteshwar Pujara, who was twice given out to Lyon but survived two reviews, was finally removed by the Australian bowler for 71 in the 88th over, caught at short leg by Finch. Lyon also removed Ajinkya Rahane for 70 and dismissed Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and Shami, while Mitchell Starc took the wickets of Ishant Sharma and Ashwin as India lost their final four wickets for just four runs.

    But the Aussies were themselves pegged back by accurate bowling from the Indians. However, Lyon insists the hosts have a shot at victory.

    “(Captain) Tim (Paine) was just saying that we’ve had that belief before when our backs have been against the wall,” Lyon said of the draw Australia pulled off in the Dubai Test against Pakistan after batting out five sessions in October.

    “We’ve got a massive sniff here, I believe. We still believe we can win this.

    “It’s about coming out tomorrow and winning the first ball, the first over, the first hour and just breaking it down. Cricket’s a very simple game and we just need to not complicate things and enjoy ourselves,” Lyon added.

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