Nathan Lyon sends whitewash warning to England ahead of second Ashes Test

A supremely confident Nathan Lyon says there is ‘no reason’ why Australia cannot beat England 5-0 in this winter’s Ashes series.

Australia cruised to a 1-0 lead with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over England as Pat Cummins got his reign as captain off the the perfect start at the Gabba.

England were immediately up against it after opener Rory Burns was bowled by Mitchell Starc with the very first ball of the series and Australia posted 425 in response to the tourists’ limp first innings effort of 147.

Joe Root and Dawid Malan both scored half centuries to give the Barmy Army hope of a possible fightback in Brisbane, but England’s spectacular batting collapse on day four put the hosts in the driving seat heading into match two, a day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval.

Another loss will have England fans fearing another whitewash, as was the case back in 2013/14 when Alastair Cook’s side were blown away Down Under.

On only three occasions has a team won all five Tests in an Ashes series; with Australia also achieving the feat in 1920–21, 2006–07. However, speaking to The Herald and The Age, Lyon insisted it could be on again this winter.

‘I do believe we can win 5-0, for sure,’ the Australia off-spinner said.

‘I’ve never walked into a Test series thinking I’m going to go in there and lose a game. We’ll do everything we can.

‘If we prepare well and play the right positive brand of cricket under our new captain, there’s no reason why we can’t win 5-0.

‘In saying that, England’s a classy outfit, and they’re going to challenge us here and there. With two pink-ball games now, we’re going to make sure we’re totally on our game.’

Lyon had been stuck on 399 Test wickets for 326 days before finally joining the 400-club with the wicket of Malan in England’s second innings at the Gabba.

The relief was clear to see on Lyon’s face after umpire Paul Reiffel raised his finger and the 34-year-old went on to dismiss Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood as the tourists capitulated on day four.

‘I was sick of copping a heap and all the boys taking the piss out of me in the change room. I was pretty relieved,’ Lyon added.

‘Was it building up a little? Yes. I was able to have a really good chat with the rest of the bowlers after day three.

‘We were pretty happy with the way the ball was actually coming out. We knew our process. We didn’t lose belief.

‘I’ve never been one for personal milestones, but it’s something even now a couple of days later, sitting back in the hotel room and talking to family and friends about it, it’s a massive achievement and something I’m extremely proud of.’

James Anderson and Stuart Broad are in contention to return in Adelaide and Lyon expects both veteran bowlers to be given the nod.

‘The way I look at Test cricket, you just can’t pick your team for the first session of the Test. Test cricket is a long, challenging game, but I am expecting Broad and Anderson to play.

‘Whether they play a spinner or not, that’s not up to me. They’ve got Joe Root who has shown he is more than capable

‘I understand and know exactly how [Jack Leach] feels bowling here in Australia. It is challenging but no doubt he’s a class bowler and he’ll bounce back.

‘He’ll do his work and we need to make sure Australia is prepared.

‘Full credit to our batters. They took the game to him and sometimes you need to do that as cricketers – to put the other team under pressure.

‘I don’t know what the Adelaide wicket is going to look like but I can guarantee it’ll be a cracking wicket in my eyes.’

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