Nathan Lyon says Australia is capable of securing another 5-0 Ashes whitewash, something previously on achieved three times in Ashes history.
Lyon rediscovered his mojo after ending a long wait for his 400th Test wicket during England’s second innings, and finished with figures of 4-91.
With Australia having secured a nine-wicket win in the opening Test, Lyon is of the belief that the current Aussie crop can match the feat first set by Warwick Armstrong’s 1920-21 team, and matched by Ricky Ponting side in 2006-07 and Michael Clarke’s team in 2013-14.
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“I do believe we can win 5-0 … for sure,” Lyon told the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
“I’ve never walked into a Test series thinking I’m going to go in there and lose a game. We’ll do everything we can. If we prepare well and play the right positive brand of cricket under our new captain, there’s no reason why we can’t win 5-0.
“In saying that, England’s a classy outfit, and they’re going to challenge us here and there. With two pink-ball games now, we’re going to make sure we’re totally on our game.”
Lyon looked much freer after securing his milestone 400th wicket, and admitted that reaching the mark had begun to weigh on him.
“I was sick of copping a heap and all the boys taking the piss out of me in the change room,” Lyon said. “I was pretty relieved.”
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“Was it building up a little? Yes. I was able to have a really good chat with the rest of the bowlers after day three. We were pretty happy with the way the ball was actually coming out. We knew our process. We didn’t lose belief.
“I’ve never been one for personal milestones, but it’s something even now a couple of days later, sitting back in the hotel room and talking to family and friends about it, it’s a massive achievement and something I’m extremely proud of.”
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