Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is expecting the visitors to come full guns blazing when the Ashes gets underway in December.
“I’m expecting a fully strength England side to come out, to be honest with you,” Lyon told reporters this afternoon.
“I’ve said it before, I think Ashes series are the type of series that really make people’s careers.”
Lyon, who has 399 Test wickets, said that other than Ben Stokes, who is reportedly “increasingly unlikely” to travel, and Moeen Ali, who retired from long-form cricket last month, England would be at their best.
“I’m not sure they’re worried about coming to Australia and playing us, obviously the concerns are a little bit deeper than that,” he said.
“But knowing Joe Root on a personal note, firstly he’s a great guy, but I know he’s a very good competitor as well and he likes getting into the fight out in the middle.”
The first Test is set for December 8 at the Gabba, with the hot topic being the travel conditions whilst the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“I’ve got no dramas with quarantine, I’m happy to jump in there and get it done. It’s a pretty small price to pay to go out there and have the opportunity to go out there and play cricket for Australia,” he said.
Lyon said he had “no idea” how family travel would be accomodated during the series, but had no doubts Cricket Australia would do everything they could to help keep people together.
The 33-year-old said there were no concerns for his preparation going into the series, despite news earlier in the week that NSW would not be able to travel to South Australia for domestic cricket.
“I’m very, very confident with where I’m at,” he said.
“It’s just been really nice to recharge the batteries to be honest.”
The Blues are expected to play two, possibly three matches against Victoria – and Lyon also said he wouldn’t be surprised if there was a three-day intrasquad game before the first Test.
Several others who are expected to be in the squad left Australia today for the T20 World Cup.
Lyon had no fears of anyone being underdone going into the summer, with training regimens not losing much in comparison to pre-COVID times.
“The only thing we haven’t been able to do is go to the pub,” he joked.
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“Every individual will either be playing first class cricket or in the World Cup. They’re professional athletes, they know how to prepare and get ready for the Ashes.
“You’re not going to leave any stone unturned.”
Lyon enjoyed one of the best series of his career the last time the Ashes were held in Australia, taking 21 wickets across nine innings as Australia won, 4-0.
“I think it was very special, what we created as a bowling unit – and I think we’re going to have the opportunity to do something pretty special like that again this summer.”
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