Clarke releases pressure off Lyon
January 02, 2012 10:03:28 UK
Michael Clarke is keen to ease the pressure on Nathan Lyon (pic).Ahead of the second test match against India, Australian captain Michael Clarke has tried to release some pressure of his rookie spin bowler Nathan Lyon.
Lyon will play the second test against India in Sydney after fending off the challenge of returning fast bowler Ryan Harris, who will carry the drinks. It puts extra pressure on the off-spinner, who was able to take just one wicket in the Boxing Day test at the MCG, where the Aussie pace-attack worked wonders for them.
Australia are 2.15 to defeat India, who themselves are 3.10 to win the second test. A draw between the two sides can be backed at 3.80.
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Sydney's pitch may not be as spin friendly as it used to be in the old days, it still it the best one for spinners in Australia, which is why Lyon is being picked ahead of Harris.
It will be Lyon's ninth career test only and the first one at the SCG and it is natural to feel the pressure when you're the prime spin hope of your team against a side that relishes spin bowling.
But in an interview taken earlier today, Clarke said: "I don't want to put too much pressure on Lyono. I love the way he goes about his work. I think he's a big part of our team and I think he's been very successful doing things his way and I don't expect any more from him this Test match. If it spins great - if it doesn't he'll still be able to do a job for us."
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