Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has said Australia have 'unfinished business' against India as they gear up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India are set to travel to Australia this November for a five-match Test series, over the course of which they will hope to extend their magnificent recent run against the Aussies in Test cricket. This will be the first five-Test series between India and Australia since 1991/92, which was also in Australia.
The last four Test series between the sides have all been won by India, and all by 2-1 margins. This includes their first two series wins on Australian soil, in 2018/19 and 2020/21. The previous visit came amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and saw India register a memorable draw in Sydney before winning the final Test at the Gabba with a depleted and inexperienced squad.
Jayden Seales has registered the joint second-best figures by a West Indies bowler against South Africa at home.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 17, 2024
The Proteas lost 5-22 runs in their second innings and need to defend 262 for a win.
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Nathan Lyon: Australia have 'unfinished business' against India
Looking ahead to the series, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon spoke to ESPNCricinfo, outlining how the hosts are seeing this as a chance to exact revenge on India for their domination of the last decade.
"It's been ten years of unfinished business, it's been a long time, and I know we're extremely hungry to turn things around especially here at home," said Lyon. "Don't get me wrong, India is an absolute superstar side and extremely challenging but I'm extremely hungry to turn things around and make sure we get that trophy back."
Adding to Lyon's words, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood said, "There are quite a few players who have never beaten India in a Test series. It's quite astounding to say that." That set of players includes current captain Pat Cummins.
Ben Duckett defends his comment on Yashasvi Jaiswal's batting being credited to England earlier this year and says it was blown out of proportion.
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) August 17, 2024
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Australia's last series win over India came at home in 2014/15. They won the first two Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane, before the third was drawn in Melbourne and Indian captain MS Dhoni resigned from his post, handing over the reins to Virat Kohli. The fourth Test in Sydney then ended in a draw. Lyon and Hazlewood were both part of the Australian squad for that series, as was Steve Smith (he was captain at the time).
Lyon also name-checked Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in his interview, calling the youngster a “massive challenge” for the bowlers. He added that he had spoken to England spinner Tom Hartley during his county stint at Lancashire about Jaiswal and India. On his debut series in India earlier this year, Hartley had quite a few duels with Jaiswal.
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