http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, believes that the Test series against the West Indies is a real test of abilities for the Aussie off-spinner, Nathan Lyon.
The Kangaroos have been struggling in the spin-bowling department since the retirement of the legendary leg-spinner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shane-Keith-Warne-c89672. This is one of the major reasons why Australia has struggled in Test cricket since the last five years.
Australia has given opportunities to a number of spin bowlers like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SPD-Smith-c2555 but all of them failed to make an impression in the longer version of the sport.
Despite, Lyon showing some good performances in international cricket, his inconsistency also remains an issue.
Conditions in the Caribbean are generally helpful for spin bowlers but Lyon could not impress in the first innings of the Bridgetown Test. The young off-spinner bowled 31 overs in the first innings and got just one scalp after conceding 94 runs.
However, Watson has backed the off-spinner and said that the pitch at Bridgetown is not helpful for the bowlers at all.
Watson said, "Probably from the difference in conditions I think so. That wicket was a challenge for all our bowlers, not just Nathan."
The all-rounder expressed that all the Aussies struggled to dismantle the Caribbean batsmen in the first innings but claimed that the bowlers, including Lyon will improve their performance as the series moves forward.
"There wasn't that much going on in the wicket, there wasn't that much turn as well. It was a big challenge for all of us really. There's no doubt we've all learned a fair bit about how we're going to try and do it better next time. He'll be doing exactly
the same thing as well," he believes.
Watson has immense confidence in the abilities of the young cricketer and is hopeful that Lyon will trouble the West Indian batsmen in the coming matches.
“He'll make sure he does a good job next time he bowls because he,” he added.
Considering the bench-strength of the Australian team, it remains to be seen that off-spinner is able to retain his place throughout the series or not.
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