Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has quashed concerns about the Test side’s reshuffled batting order, backing teammates Steve Smith and Cameron Green to flourish in their new roles.
Following David Warner’s recent retirement, Smith was controversially elevated to the top of the order to accommodate Green’s return to the Test side, with the all-rounder slotting in at No. 4, where he has a phenomenal record for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
However, the revamped batting order came under scrutiny after Smith and Green struggled during the early stages of the ongoing Frank Worrell Trophy. Smith registered scores of 12, 11* and 6 against the West Indies, reigniting calls for Australia to select a specialist opener, while his batting technique was criticised following Thursday’s dismissal against veteran bowler Kemar Roach.
Meanwhile, pressure was mounting on Green, who has averaged 18.33 in Tests since the start of last year’s tour of England, after he managed scores of 14 and 8 against the West Indies.
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First over shocker sees Smith depart | 01:30
On day three of the pink-ball Gabba Test, the duo survived a tricky 45-minute passage of play against the swinging Kookaburra before stumps, blocking out eight overs to set the stage for a thrilling final day in Brisbane.
Speaking to reporters at stumps on Saturday evening, Lyon scoffed at suggestions that Smith had been out of form with the bat, praising the New South Welshman for his decision to reinvent himself as an opener.
“Mate, we’re talking about arguably the greatest player in the last decade,” Lyon said.
“There’s a lot of talk about his batting. I sit here and laugh, because he’s arguably the best problem-solver I’ve ever played with.
“I’ve only got accolades for Smith. I’ve been fortunate enough to play (nearly 100) Test matches with him, and he’s by far the best.
“I don’t need to talk about Smith, his numbers speak for themselves. There’s been no one worried about Smith’s form.
“It’s pretty amazing to have Smith put his hand up and go up the top of the order.”
Lyon emphasised there were no concerns about Australia’s reshuffled batting order, predicting that Green has a bright future at second drop in the Test side.
“There’s so much confidence in that change room around all the guys, not just Smith batting at No. 1 and Cameron batting at No. 4,” Lyon continued.
“If you look at Green, I’ve had the challenge of bowling to him in Shield cricket with him batting at No. 4, and he’s given me a lot of headaches.
“I’m actually really enjoying seeing him at No. 4, and I feel like he could be the next Jacques Kallis of international cricket (if we) invest some time in him at No. 4.
“I think his technique’s good enough to succeed at No. 4.”
Australia, chasing a 216-run target for victory, is 2-60 at stumps on day three of the Gabba Test with Smith (33*) and Green (9*) unbeaten overnight, needing a further 156 runs to complete a 2-0 series whitewash over the West Indies. If Pat Cummins’ men get the job done, it would be Australia’s highest successful Test run chase at the Gabba since 1976.