I think Indian fans will see the best of Nathan Lyon: Brad Hogg

Former Australian china man bowler predicts a hard fought series

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Brad Hogg thinks Nathan Lyon will have a memorable series for the Aussies against India. Image Source: XtraTime

Internet Desk: Former Australian bowler Brad Hogg predicts a hard fought series between India and Australia when the two sides meet each for the first test at Pune on February 23. The former Knight Riders bowler also predicted that Nathan Lyon will have a memorable series for the Aussies. The china man bowler, who played four test matches against India, spoke exclusively to xtratime.in from Perth about Australia’s chances in the series. Here are the excerpts:

Would you say the weak link in Steve Smith’s side is the spinners, as most of them lack experience of playing in the sub-continent?

If you look at the batting line up in the last year and half, position 6 and 7th have not done enough. With Australia in pressure, those guys haven’t stood up really. I think our batting Nos. 6 & 7 are the weak link. I think we got a very strong bowling line up with respect to our pacers. But spin wise we definitely lack the experience. In order to do well in the series against India, the Nos. 6 & 7 have to come good.

Will that mean there will be more pressure on Nathan Lyon to deliver?

I think there is pressure on Nathan Lyon. He’s had a bit of a experience in the sub-continent now. He would have liked to do a lot better than what his figures are at the moment. It does gets really tough for a spiiner bowling against the Indian batsman who are great players of spin bowling. But I think Nathan Lyon is up to the challenge. He is really started to think about his bowling and how he is going to adapt to the conditions. He would like to utilize the experience that he has had. I think you gonna see the best of Nathan Lyon in the series. He is really going to put the Indian batsman under a bit of a pressure.

Talking about the leg-spinners, what is your take on rookie spinner Mitchell Swepson?

I think he is a quality bowler. He has got a great temperament. He loves being in the contest. He’s got a good drift in the air and gets a lopt of turn on the flatter wickets of Australia. We won’t see him play at the atrt of the series, may be in the blast test match just to gain in a bit of experience. I think he may get a bit of an exposure in the last test match if the series is 3-0 either way. I like to see him play a little more first class cricket and get that experience behind him. But he is up for the challenge in international cricket.

The tracks in India will heavily favour the likes of Ashwin and Jadeja. Do you think Oz spinners can attract the same turn and bounce as their Indian counterpart?

Yeah, the tracks in India do favor the likes of Ashwin and Jadeja. They’ve grown up on those tracks, so you expect them to put pressure on the Australian batsman as they have done against other opponents in the past series. I think the Australian spinner O’Keefe and Lyon can do the same damage as Ashwin and Jadeja. I think Lyon will be bowling predominantly in at the Indian batsman while O’Keefe will take the ball away. The odd ones will keep straight. If they attack the stumps and bowl at the tight line, they will make life difficult for the Indian batsman. If the Indian batsman starts sweeping Australian spinners, they should consider it as a win.

What’s your take on Ashwin and Jadeja? 

I think they probably are the best spinning pair going around in international cricket at the moment. I think the biggest positive is that they can wield their willows as well and that has been the difference between the two sides. If Ashwin and Jadeja can score consistently like they have done in the past with Saha also chipping in then it’s going to make Steve Smith’s life difficult. They both are great all-rounder in this Indian team.

Would you say the selectors have picked the best spinners available for the tour, or would you have preferred to see someone else in this team?

The Australian selectors have picked four quality spinners. I think Ashton Agar will be handy in those conditions. He played a lot of Shield Cricket, so he has a lot of experience behind. Agar and Swepson should gain in a lot of experience playing in the sub-continent. I hope they can have a word with Ashwin and Jadeja or even legends like Bishen Bedi, not to forget Ravi Shastri who will be in the commentary box. They need to talk to those past players and improve their skills.

What would be your tips to the Australian spinners?

What I noticed from the Bangladesh test match, if you attack the stumps and bowl a strict line, it will be hard for the Indian batsmen to get away. They need to stick to basic cricket, trying to get the batsman out with good line and length. I think you will get a lot of balls turning and going straight on as well on Days 3, 4 &5. If you can put that doubt in the batters mind off a good length, that’s the only tip I got for them. They must make sure you still got revolution on the ball, still try to spin the ball hard.

Lastly, how challenging will it be for the likes of Lyon and others facing the Indian batsmen lead by Virat Kohli?

It’s just going to be a good contest. As a spinner going to the sub-continent you should thrive on the contest. If they are not up for the challenge, they shouldn’t be there. That’s why you play test cricket, to test your skills against the best. Finally I just hope it’s going to be a very close series. The Australians had a good training camp in Dubai and I hope they can take lesson from the past series and do well.