Adelaide, Jan 17: Australian national selector John Inverarity has confirmed that Nathan Lyon will be the only change to Australia's XI for the fourth Test against India which begins January 24 at the Adelaide Oval. Australia have named an unchanged squad for the final Test of the four-match series which means Lyon will likely replace one of the fast bowlers who played the Perth Test.
"A spin bowler has always been a priority in Test matches at Adelaide Oval and it is very likely that Nathan Lyon will replace one of the other bowlers in the final XI for the fourth Test," Inverarity said.
Australia will find themselves in the difficult situation of determining which quick bowler is to be dropped from the third Test after all four did an outstanding job at Perth. Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle have both had outstanding series this far, picking up 23 and 17 wickets from the three Tests respectively. Young Mitchell Starc impressed with his pace and accuracy in the first Test at Perth while 32-year-old Ryan Harris, too, caused enough problems for the Indians.
Nathan Lyon, meanwhile, has only two wickets to show for his 50.5 overs of bowling in the Melbourne and Sydney tests. However, give that the Adelaide wicket is expected to turn as the Test progresses, Lyon is expected to have a role to play in the final Test.
The selectors’ decision to play an unchanged squad also means that Shaun Marsh and Brad Haddin, who have batting averages of 3.50 and 11.00 respectively in this series, have been given another chance to come good.
Australia 12-man squad for Adelaide: Michael Clarke (c), Brad Haddin (vc), Ed Cowan, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc & David Warner
