Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is backing opener David Warner to be among the runs in the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan.
Warner endured a miserable time in the Ashes held in England in the summer with the left-hander able to muster just 95 runs in the five Tests, at an average below 10.
It was the worst-ever display by Warner in a Test series with the Australian finding it hard to cope against England seamer Stuart Broad. However, the explosive opener has since bounced back into form in the T20I format for Australia and was dismissed just once in the six recent clashes against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
In what will be Warner’s first Test series on Australian soil since his suspension for the Cape Town ball-tampering episode, Lyon believes that the southpaw will come out all guns blazing.
“Dave is a world-class player. I’m expecting him to come out here and play exceptionally well,” the Aussie spin ace was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Warner’s had a torrid time in the Ashes.
“No doubt, he would have been down and disappointed about the Ashes that he had.
“But he was still part of the side to go over there and retain the Ashes, which is pretty bloody special, if you ask me.”
Warner was dismissed by Broad on as many as seven occasions in his 10 innings in England and Lyon feels that his compatriot will be able to recover from that mental disintegration.
“I know when I’m bowling to someone who I’ve got the wood over, it can play on their mind,” he stated.
“So no doubt, Davey would have felt the pressure. But it’s one of those things where you need to accept the challenge and move on and try to get better.”
Australia will begin their red-ball battle with Pakistan on Thursday when the two sides meet for the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.
