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Lyon out to cause havoc on day five of first Test

Nathan Lyon spun Australia to a dramatic victory in the opening Test last summer and is confident he can do it again.

Lyon snared a career-best 12 wickets in the match at Adelaide Oval in 2014, triggering a collapse of 8-73 in the final session against India.

A somewhat similar stage is set for the offspinner at the Gabba, where New Zealand will resume at 3-142 on day five, after the final session on the fourth day was washed out.

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Lyon, having removed Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson on Sunday, is ready to step up on Monday.

“I’m definitely confident with my skill set to get the job done for Australia,” Lyon said.

“Starcy (Mitchell Starc) has been wearing his long spikes for me and there’s been a few footmarks out there so I can hopefully hit them and cause a bit of havoc.”

NZ opener Tom Latham countered that “the wicket is reasonably flat”.

“Taking a bit of turn to the right-hander in the footmarks but the guys are still pretty relaxed,” Latham said.

Lyon’s record in Brisbane is impressive, prior to the first Test starting he had grabbed 20 wickets from four Tests at an average of 23.20.

The 27-year-old, Australia’s most prolific off-spinner ever, noted the pitch was among his most favourite in the world.

“The bounce that I am able to generate here is pretty special. I definitely love playing here,” he said.

Lyon has sent down 11 overs in NZ’s second innings, grabbing figures of 2-33.

Captain Steve Smith is likely to give him an extended bowl on Monday.

However, Lyon suggested Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Marsh will all be just as dangerous.

“Spin will play a role,” he said.

“Also the fast bowlers, we have three very classy fast bowlers with Hazlewood, Starc and Johnson.

“Hopefully we can build pressure, bowl in partnerships and take these seven wickets.

“It may even be someone like Mitch Marsh who comes on and gets a few breakthroughs. He is class bowler.”

Australia’s new captain was rarely a happy camper on day four, when Australia managed only 53 overs.

Smith was clearly stroppy when umpires ordered players off the field due to light rain in the morning.

Former Australia skipper Mark Taylor felt the 26-year-old had a point.

“If it was drizzling like this on day one you wouldn’t go off,” Taylor opined on the Nine Network.

“They’ve played in heavier rain than this in this Test match.”

Smith then had a long discussion with officials when Australia were waiting for play to resume after the downpour at lunch.

He was even tetchy after snaffling an edge at slip to dismiss Guptill, who was undone by Lyon.

Smith hurled the ball away and seemed to point to a spot on the pitch after the catch, having discussed fields and lines with his offspinner during Guptill’s stonewall.

Guptill scored 23 runs during a 133-ball stay at the crease.

Williamson, who scored 140 in the first dig, offered spirited resistance in a knock of 59.

– AAP

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