Sydney: Australia’s cricketers will just have to bear English taunts over the ball-tampering affair on tour next month for the one-day international series, spinner Nathan Lyon has said.
Australia will bring a new-look squad led by test captain Tim Paine for the five-match series, with former skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner suspended for their parts in the scandal in South Africa.
Off-spinner Lyon, who was recalled to the ODI squad for the first time since 2016, said he expected England fans to take full advantage of recent events.
“I’ve never played in England where they haven’t given it to us,” Lyon said on Tuesday.
“There’s no point taking some tissues out with us, we’ve just got to stand out there and cop it.” The series will be Australia’s first since the ill-fated tour of South Africa, where the scandal-plagued visitors slumped to a 3-1 loss.
The tampering case resulted in year-long bans to Smith and Warner, with batsman Cameron Bancroft suspended for nine months. Head coach Darren Lehmann, who was cleared of wrongdoing, resigned and was replaced last week by Justin Langer.
The damage to Australia’s reputation was far-reaching, with local fans disgusted and a major sponsor abruptly ending its support of the team.
Cricket Australia has launched reviews into the players’ behaviour and its own operations, and Lyon said he hoped the England tour could be a fresh start.
“It’s a good chance for Australian cricket to move on and a good chance for Australian players to rebuild the trust and faith of the Australian public and earn back their respect,” added Lyon, echoing comments from Langer’s first media conference as coach last week.
Lyon has been picked to test England’s left-handed batsmen on their home pitches in a warm-up for next year’s World Cup in the same country.
“It’s well documented that I want to play in all three formats for Australia, that’s my goal,” said Lyon, who has played most of his international cricket in tests.
“To get this opportunity and be included in the squad and to head over to England, where the World Cup is being played that’s going to be a massive advantage.”
Cricket Australia on Tuesday named Paine and Aaron Finch as captains in the limited-overs formats.
Paine, the Test skipper, will lead the ODI side during next month’s England tour, while Finch will be his deputy.
Finch has been named the Twenty20 captain for a one-off match against England and a subsequent tour of Zimbabwe, which consists of a tri-series also involving Pakistan.
Finch had been deemed the favourite to become the ODI captain but Cricket Australia (CA) have decided to go with Paine in a bid for stability in this turbulent period.
However, CA chief selector Trevor Hohns confirmed Paine’s appointment was not permanent.
“Tim is a strong leader and will captain the side for this series, supported by Aaron. A decision on a permanent one-day captain will be made in due course,” Hohns said.
— Agencies
