Sports desk: Mystery surrounds the pitch to be used for Sunday’s first Test against Bangladesh, with Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon unsure if a wicket has actually been picked out for the series-opener.
Two days out from Australia's first Test in Bangladesh in more than a decade, Lyon revealed he was unaware which part of the Sher-e Bangla National Stadium wicket square will be used.
Australia trained on the main arena for the first time this week, with captain Steve Smith among a number of teammates who inspected one of the two pitches not covered by hessian or rain covers on Friday morning.Lyon said he’d he’d spoken with Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha at a Australian high-commission function on Thursday but the former NSW Blues assistant coach either didn't know or wasn't willing to say which pitch will host the first Test.
“I've had a look at the wicket and I'm not really sure what to expect,” Lyon, a former member of the Adelaide Oval groundstaff, told reporters before training Friday.
“I was talking to the Bangladesh coach last night ‘Chandi', who was coach of NSW boys, and he didn't even tell us what wicket we're playing on.
“It's going to be interesting, we're just going to have to adapt.”We know it's going to be a lot more spin-friendly than pace-friendly but if we can adapt to the conditions ASAP and just play some good cricket, hopefully we can come out on top.” Asked if the square looked dry, Lyon indicated there was a pre-used wicket that may be the one used for the Test.
There were two pitches on display while Australia trained on Friday; the one Lyon was likely referring to did appear dry considering the heavy rain Dhaka has had in recent weeks and had crease markings painted on it, while the other had no markings and looked to have a greater covering of grass.Lyon insisted Australia would stick to its strict “no whingeing policy” and was confident they'd adapt to conditions far removed from the traditionally-bouncy tracks back home.
“Steve as captain has really drilled (not whingeing) into the team,” the 29-year-old said. “No matter what we're playing on, it's the same for both teams, it's just about adapting. “I think that's one of Smithy's strengths as the captain, he's been able to direct us and lead us in that way – the no whingeing policy. “We adapt to the conditions and we just go out and play. We know they're going to be different to what … we expect at home, so we've just got to go out there and play.”
The variety of pitches Australia encountered in India for their Test series earlier this year remains fresh in the the side's memories. The Pune surface for the series-opener, which Australia recorded a surprise win on, was deemed ‘poor' by the International Cricket Council after the match, while Lyon was a little more blunt, labelling it the worst he’s ever played on.But while the tracks for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar series were less spicy, Lyon says that Pune victory has emboldened the Test side with the belief they can win on any surface the subcontinent throws at them.
“We saw a range of different wickets in India,” he said. “I think after winning on probably the worst pitch I've ever played on in Pune, it's given the Australian cricket team a lot of confidence, especially when you beat the No.1 team in their backyard. “Unfortunately we didn't win the series, I know that, but I think as a team, especially a young team, we can take a lot out of playing and winning on a wicket like that.”
