'Did Shane Warne ever want rest and give Stuart MacGill a go?' - Nathan Lyon denies resting for SCG Test

Nathan Lyon has shut all down all the talks about him being rested for the third Test match against New Zealand in Sydney. The off-spinner rejected the former Australian spinner Shane Warne’s suggestion to do so in order to make space for Mitchell Swepson’s debut in Test cricket. Swepson has been included in the squad for the New Year Test as the surface is expected to turn.

Shane Warne had recently urged the Aussie selectors to let Mitchell Swepson make his debut in the Sydney Test that is to be played against New Zealand starting from the 3rd January 2020. He had suggested that if Nathan Lyon or a pacer is rested for the match, it would be a great opportunity for Swepson to get his baggy green.

Nathan Lyon has been a top performer for Australia and has the ability to take down any batting order of the world all by himself. And, he does not want to miss any chance to put on the ‘baggy green’ and step on to the field. Lyon made his intentions clear while responding to Shane Warne’s suggestion and also asked whether the leg-spinner himself ever rested during his career to give Stuart MacGill an opportunity.

“Did Warney ever want rest and give Stuart MacGill a go? I won’t be resting,” Nathan Lyon was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo. “I haven’t met any Australian cricketer yet who would like to be rested. It’s that hard to play Test cricket but it’s pretty rewarding as well. Any opportunity you get to play for Australia means the world to us.

Nathan Lyon on playing alongside Swepson

Nathan Lyon also went on to express his views on playing alongside Swepson and termed it exciting. “I really enjoy bowling with another spinner as well. We get through our overs quite quickly and we feel like we can build some pressure here and there. If Sweppo does get his opportunity, to play with a leg spinner would be pretty exciting. But it’s not up to me to make that call.’

Swepson has proven his worth time and again and it’s about time that he makes his debut in the longest format of the sport. He had toured India and Bangladesh in 2017 but did not get a chance to play there. He has also done well in the Sheffield Shield recently. So, all that is left for him is the call into the playing XI, for which he must be pretty eager by now.

With Nathan Lyon making his intent clear about his place in the squad, and the series sealed by the Aussies, it will be interesting to see if the team management and the selectors go on to play two spinners in the squad as they had done in Sydney in 2017.

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