Ashes 2023: There’s a lot of hard work that we know we need to do – Nathan Lyon ahead of Lord’s Test

Australian veteran spinner Nathan Lyon admitted they need to do a lot of hard work after winning the opening Ashes Test by two wickets at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Lyon knows England will come harder at them and he doesn’t want his team to get complacent for the second Test match.

The off-spinner played an instrumental role in the opening Test success as he scalped a total of eight wickets. Lyon returned with figures of 4-149 in the first innings and then took 4-80 in the second essay.

Furthermore, he scored a crucial unbeaten knock of 16 runs in the second dig and added 55 runs with skipper Pat Cummins to help Australia get over the line.

As quoted by The Daily Mail, the 36-year-old stated: “It’s business as usual for us. We can’t control what they’re doing, we’ll sit down as a team and we’ve identified the areas we believe we need to get better at. (Edgbaston) was an absolutely incredible Test match and to be a part of that was extremely special. It’s going to go down as one of the best Test matches I’ve ever played in. There’s a lot of hard work that we know we need to do.”

Meanwhile, the Lord’s Test will be the 100th consecutive Test match for Nathan Lyon, which goes to show his consistency at the top level. He added it is a special feat for him and he will look to make it even more special by delivering for his team.

“It’ll be extremely special. 100 consecutive Test matches for anyone is a pretty special feat,” said Lyon. “I hate talking about myself but that’s one record I’m extremely proud of. Especially being a bowler and No11 batter that you’re able to get that feat done and tick off 100 consecutive games, that’s something that I’ll be extremely proud of when it happens and more importantly when my career is done.”

The second Ashes Test will be played at Lord’s, from June 28 onwards.