Lyon unfazed by mission impossible

Retired tweaker and cricket expert Kerry O’Keeffe says Lyon is Australia’s best spinning option for Test cricket, even though he was playing grade cricket in Canberra less than 18 months ago.

After Lyon’s inclusion in Australia’s 15-man squad for a three-Test tour of Sri Lank next month, O’Keeffe has urged national selectors to break recent tradition and give the 23-year-old time to develop into the role.

Since Shane Warne’s retirement in 2007, ten different spinners have been selected to fill the void in the Aussie Test team but no-one has come close to successfully replacing the Victorian legend.

O’Keeffe said letting Lyon establish himself in the team during the next year could pay long-term dividends for Australia.

‘‘They’ve copped a lot of flak, the selectors, but I think they’ve got a chance of getting this one right,’’ O’Keeffe said. ‘‘It just depends on how he’s handled, that’ll be a key. ‘‘I’m a terrific supporter of Nathan Lyon. He’s a finger spinner who actually makes the ball drop sharply.

‘‘He’s only had four first-class games but if you look at his temperament and you look at his mechanics they’re pretty rock solid. He won’t crumble mentally or physically, I think it’s a terrific selection.’’

Warne claimed 708 Test wickets in a glittering career, but it took more than a year for the blonde leg-spinner to find his feet on the international scene.

He took 1-150 on debut, and averaged less than two wickets per match in his first eight Tests before emerging as the world’s best spinner – a lofty standing he maintained until his retirement.

Of the 10 spinners selected since Warne departed the Test scene, only Nathan Hauritz came close to cementing a place for Australia, playing 16 Tests.

Young all-rounder Steven Smith has played five Tests while Stuart MacGill and Cameron White managed four each in the post- Warne era.

Brad Hogg played three times after Warne’s departure, one more than Jason Krejza and Xavier Doherty, while Beau Casson, Bryce McGain and Michael Beer managed only one Test.

Beer will join Lyon on the tour to Sri Lanka.

‘‘Of all the spinners I think he [Lyon] has probably got a chance on all pitches,’’ O’Keeffe said.

Chappell backed the selection of Lyon and Copeland

Australian selector Greg Chappell has backed the selections of two uncapped players Nathan Lyon and Trent Copeland for the forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka and said that duo were among those who demonstrated they could perform at a higher level during the A side’s recently concluded tour of Zimbabwe.

“I think they can have success at the next level. They are bringing with them some form and confidence and freshness,” Chappell said while interviewing to a British newspaper on Sunday.

Right-arm fast bowler Copeland and off-spinner Lyon frustrated the opponent batsmen in during the tri-series in Zimbabwe that also included South Africa A.

“They are very exciting cricketers. The Australia A tour to Zimbabwe was a huge success. Those two guys were two of a number who showed that what has worked for them in Australia can work at a higher level,” he added.

Talking about fast bowlers, Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus, who miss the boat to for Island tour, Chappell said “they need to work on their fitness.”

When questioned about the segregation of leg-spinner Steven Smith from the Test squad, Chappell said:

“He is in the same position that most players are in early in their careers when they get an opportunity. They get to have a look at it. Very few players are ready to go.”

Australia is scheduled will kick-off their tour with two Twenty20 international games, which will be followed by five one-day and three Test matches.

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