Border-Gavaskar Trophy pinnacle series for Australian cricketers, similar to Ashes: Nathan Lyon

Hailed as the oldest rivalry in world cricket, The Ashes sees Australia and England battling it out in the longest format of the game with the prestigious urn at stake. Over the years, fans have witnessed several exciting battles between these two teams in the Test arena. Owing to the same, many Aussie and English cricketers aim to feature in the prestigious Test series.

Veteran Aussie off-spinner Nathan Lyon has also featured in several Ashes series and his record is pretty impressive as well. However, he reckons the ‘Border-Gavaskar’ series is becoming as important as Ashes to Australia cricketers. Australia will tour India later this year for a four-match Test series and, according to Nathan Lyon, the Aussie team will leave no stones unturned to emerge winners.

Team India has emerged as a formidable force in Test cricket and many prominent teams have gone down against them. While the Indian side has been near to invincible in home Tests, they have been done well in recent overseas Tests well. In fact, India’s last two assignments Down Under saw them thrashing Australia in the Test series. Hence, the Aussies will have scores to settle when they land on Indian soil.

It’s about doing the basics, not getting too far ahead of ourselves: Nathan Lyon

“It’s massive. It’s getting very similar to an Ashes series as the pinnacle series for an Australian cricketer,” Lyon told Code Sports, as quoted by the ICC. Lyon further said the upcoming India series is even more significant with a place in the World Test Championship final at stake.

“This series with the Test Championship on the line as well it’s going to be even more important and probably a bigger challenge. It’s about doing the basics, not getting too far ahead of ourselves and enjoying the challenge – I think that’s going to be the biggest one,” he added.

Lyon further said Australia are ready to embrace the subcontinental conditions and challenge Asian teams at their own den. “There’s no point hiding behind it,” Lyon added. “That’s one challenge we want to pride ourselves on – going out there and performing really well. This challenge is massive and it’s bloody exciting to be honest,” he added.