Lyon declares himself '100 per cent fit' for Sri Lanka tour

New Delhi: Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has confirmed his full fitness ahead of Australia’s two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, which begins on January 29. Despite battling a sore hip during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, Lyon assured fans and selectors that he is “100 per cent fit” and ready for the challenging conditions in Sri Lanka.

Lyon, who took nine wickets at an average of 36.88 during the India series, revealed that the hip issue originated in the first Test against India. Explaining his condition, he said:

“It’s hard to explain; I am not very good with medical terms. It is like a little bursa [fluid sack] in my hip. I aggravated it, and it has been painful. It does not stop me from bowling, but when I land on my hip, it is pretty painful,” Lyon was quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald as saying.

After undergoing scans and receiving treatment, including a corticosteroid injection, Lyon resumed his fitness regimen, including running and gym sessions.

“All things going well, it is on the mend. I will be 100 per cent fit,” Lyon reassured. “I had a scan after the Test and a jab. All things going well, it IS on the mend. I did a running and gym session [on Friday]. I am trying to avoid contact. I will be 100 per cent fit.”

Having previously bowled 87 overs in a single Test in Colombo in 2016, Lyon is no stranger to the demands of Sri Lankan conditions. While spin-friendly pitches are often anticipated, Lyon expects “good cricket wickets,” pointing to the second Test in Sri Lanka in 2022 as an example, where Dinesh Chandimal scored a double-century on a balanced track.

“I originally thought it would be spin-friendly, but I think it’ll be similar to the second Test in 2022 when Dinesh Chandimal got 206. It will be hard work, but I doubt we will be playing five spinners,” he added. IANS

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