"It's been 10 years of unfinished business. It's been a long time" - Nathan Lyon on Australia's poor run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India
Australia veteran spinner Nathan Lyon remarked that the nation has a lot to resolve in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophies against India after going through a decade without holding the trophy. The Aussies' last Test series triumph against India came in 2014, and since then, they have lost four successive series, including two on home soil.
Australia have lost all four series by a 2-1 margin, having squandered the series lead on two occasions. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia marks a great opportunity for Pat Cummins and company to reclaim the trophy for India will have to survive a five-Test ordeal to make it a hattrick Down Under.
Nathan Lyon stated he is hungry to claim the trophy back from India's hands in the coming months.
"It's been 10 years of unfinished business. It's been a long time. I know I'm extremely hungry to turn things around and make sure we get that trophy back, that's for sure," Lyon told AAP.
Australia have several obstacles to resolve before the series. David Warner's retirement has left a gaping hole in the batting department. While Steve Smith has been promoted to the top of the order, allowing Cameron Green to play in the middle order, it remains to be seen whether it is a long-term move.
The Men in Yellow will also need their backup pacers to be ready to fill in since five matches in a row might prove to be a tall ask for the aging Australian pace unit. Australia senior pacer Josh Hazlewood remarked that he intends to play all five Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
There's a few factors there, but I'm always planning to play all five (Tests). I think with a bowling captain as well, he can be a lot smarter in that regard in terms of maybe throwing the ball to Travis Head for an over here or there and Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh. We've got a lot of extra bowlers there as well," Hazlewood told AAP.
"There's a few things that I feel like we can do differently" - Nathan Lyon
Australia were firm favorites to reclaim the trophy the last time they played at home. They had taken a commanding 1-0 lead after bundling out India for 36 runs in Adelaide, and India struggled with Kohli's absence and a major injury crisis as the series progressed.
However, the Men in Blue defied all odds and made a comeback to secure their second series win on Australian soil.
"I often reflect on a lot of series and where we potentially could have done better, even when we win series. I feel that's incredibly important in your learning, to be able to sit back and reflect and understand what you did well and what you didn't do well," Lyon added in the same interaction.
"There's a few things that I feel like we can do (differently). I feel like we're a different team to a couple of years ago and on a journey to becoming a great Australian cricket team. We're definitely not there, but we're along that journey," Lyon concluded.
The Test series between India and Australia is scheduled to begin from November 22 onwards.