Nathan Lyon says the move from Adelaide Oval to a Red Ball Test will not change the way he bowls at his most dominant venue as Australia host West Indies there for the second straight season.
Adelaide will play a rare day test in January in the newly released summer schedule, with the usual day-night game in December postponed to later in the season.
The schedule for testing, ODIs, and T-20 games is below, but the landscape might have been different had a radical New Year’s test been authorized.
Earlier this year, South Australian Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas and the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) proposed snapping up the New Year’s Test and hosting it in Adelaide, as Sydney always seems to rain at this time of year.
The possibility of a move remains despite strong reactions to the plan, although SCG will host the game against Pakistan next January.
Australia’s Nathan Lyon, the world’s leading wicket player at the Adelaide Oval, is delighted that the venue is hosting a Red Ball Test this summer
The Spin King (pictured bowling for India in Adelaide in 2018) insists his style doesn’t need to be changed to compensate for the move to the red ball in the City of Churches
Cricket Australia have decided to start the men’s Summer of Tests in Perth on December 14, with the organization giving priority to sending the more marketable Pakistan team to Western Australia.
Officials are keen to add to the prestige of the Tests at Perth’s Optus Stadium after a few spectators were in attendance against West Indies last year after a two-year absence due to COVID.
Pakistan will also complete Boxing Day and New Year tests in Melbourne and Sydney before West Indies arrive in Adelaide and Brisbane for tests.
The Adelaide Test will start on a Wednesday due to the Windies’ schedule commitments, before a day-night game at the Gabba rounds out the summer of testing from January 25.
South Australia has made no secret of its frustration at being pushed back to January and once again hosting the West Indies, but has asked for a day test after missing a December or New Year’s game.
Lyon has emerged as the king of Adelaide in recent years, having gone from curator at the venue there to leading wicket-taker in Test cricket.
And the offspinner insisted the change wouldn’t result in the venue becoming too racquet-friendly.
“I’m really looking forward to playing a Red Ball game there as we haven’t played a Red Ball game there for a number of years,” Lyon said.
“I think it’s the best place in the world to play cricket.” The competition between the bat and the ball. It’s so even. To be honest, I don’t think it changes that much.”
According to Lyon, the Adelaide Oval is the best venue in world cricket whether you’re a batsman or a bowler
Of Lyon’s 60 Test wickets in Adelaide, 28 came with the pink ball for an average of 23.85.
His record with the red ball on the ground is almost as strong with 32 test wickets at 27.62.
Separately, Lyon said he didn’t need to change his bowling style by switching from the red ball to the pink ball.
“I don’t change much at all,” he said.
“It’s the same process.” It’s just about doing what I do, using my skills over and over again. Keep it simple.
“If we complicate things, we get into trouble.”
Australia and the West Indies will also meet for three ODIs and three T20s in late January and February before Australia travels to New Zealand for two Tests and three T20s.
AUSTRALIA’S 2023/24 SUMMER CRICKET SCHEDULE
MEN
THREE TESTS AGAINST PAKISTAN
14-18 December, Optus Stadium, Perth
26th-30th December, MCG, Melbourne
3-7 January, SCG, Sydney
TWO TESTS AGAINST WEST INDIES
17-21 January, Adelaide Oval
25-29 January, The Gabba, Brisbane (day/night)
THREE ODIs vs. WEST INDIES
2 February, MCG, Melbourne
4 February, SCG, Sydney
February 6, Manuka Oval, Canberra
THREE T20 vs. WEST INDIES
9 February, Blundstone Arena, Hobart
11 February, Adelaide Oval
13 February, Optus Stadium, Perth
WOMEN
THREE T20 vs. WEST INDIES
1 October, North Sydney Oval
2 October, North Sydney Oval
5 October, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
THREE ODIs vs. WEST INDIES
8 October, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
12 October, Junction Oval, Melbourne
15 October, Junction Oval, Melbourne
MULTIFORMAT SERIES against SOUTH AFRICA
T20s:
January 27, Manuka Oval, Canberra
January 28, Manuka Oval, Canberra
30 January, Blundstone Arena, Hobart
ODIs:
3 February, Adelaide Oval
7 February, North Sydney Oval
10 February, North Sydney Oval
Test
15-18 February, WACA, Perth
