Windies a happy hunting ground for Lyon

After picking up 13 wickets in three Tests in 2012, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon couldn't be happier to be back on tour in the Caribbean.

Australia's Nathan Lyon.

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon couldn't be happier to be back on tour in the West Indies. (AAP)

Nathan Lyon is excited by the return to a happy hunting ground for this week's first Test against the West Indies.

The off-spinner may have only played three Tests in the Caribbean, in 2012, but it was one of his most successful tours for his country.

Lyon picked up 13 wickets as Australia claimed the series 2-0.

Seven of those scalps came in the final Test at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica.

So it was no surprise Lyon wore a big grin as he returned to Windsor Park for Australia's first practice session at the venue ahead of Wednesday's first Test.

"I really enjoyed my time here, it was a great experience," Lyon said.

"It was my first time over here so to come back here, have fond memories, it's really exciting.

"I'm looking forward to getting stuck into them."

Lyon made a steady if unspectacular start to this tour, with two first-innings wickets all he had to show from last week's three-day game in Antigua against a WICB President's XI.

His match haul of 2-125 doesn't look great but the 27-year-old says it was a good hitout and he's comfortable with his form.

"We needed a solid day in the field because a few of us had eight weeks off," Lyon said.

"It was really good to have that long stint in the field.

"I was more worried about how they were coming out of my hand and they were coming out really well so I was quite happy."

Lyon says his role won't change whether he's the sole spinner in the lineup or is picked alongside leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed.

He said uncapped 33-year-old, Pakistani-born Fawad was bowling well and he was confident the pair would work well together if both picked.

"I've got my role in the team and I know what that is," Lyon said.

"No matter what the conditions turn up, I'll try to do my role in the best possible way.

"Fawad's been bowling really well. It's all up to the selectors and captain I guess if they want to go with two spinners or one."

Lyon and his Australian teammates had their first look at the pitch on Sunday and will train again on Monday and Tuesday ahead of the series opener.

Coach Darren Lehmann has already suggested a final lineup is unlikely to be named until the day of the Test to make the best read on conditions.

NATHAN LYON'S WINDIES RECORD

Tests: 3

Wickets: 13 at 25.92

Best bowling: 5-68 at Port of Spain, Trinidad

* Was Australia's leading wicket-taker in series, third overall behind Kemar Roach (19) and Shane Shillingford (14).


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world