'I don’t want 101 or 107, I want 180 and 200' - Nathan Lyon on his expectations from Australian top-order during BGT

Australia is all set to host India for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The first Test of the same will kick off at the Perth Stadium on Sunday, November 22. Hosting India, Australia will hope that the series’ outcome can be changed. 

It is worth noting that the Aussies are yet to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2014-15, and ahead of the series, veteran Australia spinner Nathan Lyon recently came forward and laid out his expectations for Australia’s batters. Naming the likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head, Lyon opined that he wants scores of 180-200 from the batters and not just 101-107.

“We need big runs. We need the guys, who are talented enough to get the hundred, The likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head, all the top order. I don’t want 101 or 107, I want 180 and 200,” Lyon told  Australian women’s team captain Alysa Healy on the “Willow Talk” podcast.

“If I will have a day off, I am pretty sure that I will be more effective and can help my team win the Test match,” he added.

Also Read: 'He’s once-in-a-generation, he's the greatest to play the game' - Nathan Lyon on comparisons with Shane Warne

It’s going to be pretty big: Lyon

Furthermore, Lyon also talked about the prospect of facing Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant once more. He pointed out how Pant has been picked for India’s upcoming Tests against Bangladesh and seems eager to renew his rivalry with both batters. 

“Having Virat out here, Rishabh Pant has been picked for the Tests against Bangladesh, so that’s an amazing story. It’s going to be pretty big,” Lyon said. 

He also talked about the discussion on whether Test cricket is slowly dying and losing its charm. He disagreed with the notion that Test cricket is dying and opined that the Border-Gavaskar series gets bigger every passing year. 

“I am really forward to play the five-match series. This series is getting bigger and bigger and when people says that Test cricket is dying, I disagree. When you walk on the street and talk to the local people, they are already saying ‘India this summer eh’. This series is in the back of people’s mind,” Lyon concluded.