Australia’s first-choice spinner Nathan Lyon feels his poor return in South Australia’s crushing Sheffield Shield defeat to Queensland shouldn’t affect his selection chances for the first Test against South Africa next month.
Lyon ended the game with match figures of two for 128 from 27 overs, including 11 fours and six sixes, in his side’s 191-run reverse.
But the offspinner said the pitch the Redbacks played on bears no comparison to the one that will be laid out for the season-opening Test against South Africa on November 9.
The Gabba has been renowned as a graveyard for finger spinners, but Lyon bucked the trend against New Zealand last summer, taking 7-88 as he blitzed the Black Caps tail in both innings.
He has little competition from other spin bowlers in Australia but if presented with a green Gabba pitch the selectors may opt against selecting Lyon against a Proteas side that has fine players of spin in Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers.
Having already taken 42 wickets at 27.83 in 13 Tests, Lyon is confident one match played in unfavourable conditions won’t be a major setback.
“I probably wasn’t at my best in this game but I’m still confident in my skillset to get the job done,” Lyon said.
“A Test match to a Shield pitch is totally different.
“I’m looking forward to getting back down to Adelaide next week and really nailing down my routine and performing for the Redbacks.”