Follow UsAustralia are entering another ICC World Test Championship Final with a squad that boasts a lot more experience of high-pressure knockout games than their opposition, South Africa.
The likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith and Josh Hazlewood have won multiple ICC trophies for Australia and understand the pressure of big games as they have played multiple knockout games.
However, Nathan Lyon was a bit cautious in making the obvious claim, and said it will all depend on how Australia will turn up in the game that matters the most.
“Having the experience of the guys who have won two (50-over) World Cups and T20 World Cups, and obviously the World Test Championship final a couple of years ago — that experience and that pressure in those big games, it’s on our side, isn’t it? But it doesn’t mean anything when you come to the game,” Lyon told the ICC ahead of the final that will be played from Wednesday, June 11.
“South Africa have got some world-class batters, and they’ve obviously got some unbelievable bowlers as well, so it’s going to be a good challenge — and obviously, it’s a one-off Test match,” he added.
Lyon mentioned the challenge of playing with Dukes balls, which are quite different from the Kookaburra red, which is used in Australia. He also added that the Proteas squad has some really talented players, and the opposition can't be taken lightly despite Australia having the upper hand in terms of experience.
“It’s going to be a different challenge with foreign conditions and the Dukes ball,” Australia’s most successful off-spinner said.
“It’s going to be the two best bowling attacks going at each other, which is another exciting thing. So, it’s going to be a good challenge for all batters.
“I’m a cricket nuffie, so I’ve watched a fair amount of cricket and even tuned into their (South Africa’s tour) game at the moment against Zimbabwe. They’ve got some class players, as I said, with the likes of Aiden Markram, Rickelton at the top of the order there, they’re class players, there’s no point in hiding behind that fact either.
“I played against [David] Bedingham last year here in County cricket and he’s a special player, so at the end of the day it’s going to be guys who do the basics and enjoy the pressure moments,” the Australian Test veteran added.