How Nathan Lyon is preparing for England’s Bazball onslaught ahead of first Ashes Test

England’s batting blaster is gunning for Nathan Lyon in the first Ashes Test. Yet the Aussies came prepared, which made for curious scenes in training at Edgbaston.

Australian reserves Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw performed their best Bazball impressions in a bid to prepare Nathan Lyon for a potential English onslaught.

While most of Australia’s first-choice players were training on the main oval at Edgbaston on Wednesday afternoon, Lyon was out in the nets setting fake fields and being tonked by Inglis and Renshaw, in what seemed a clear attempt to brace for what could be coming when the Ashes series begins on Friday.

Back-up wicketkeeper Inglis and spare batter Renshaw were both given license to heave Australia’s primary off-spinner. At various stages, Inglis danced down the wicket and attempted a reverse sweep, while Renshaw compulsively slog-swept, a far cry from his early Test days as a blocker.

It may seem anathema to be routinely playing such freewheeling strokes in the nets just two days out from the start of an Ashes series, but there is good reason to expect Lyon will get this sort of treatment once the action starts.

Nathan Lyon bowls during a nets session at Edgbaston. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Lyon claimed the final wicket in the WTC final win. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

This is England’s way under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. Their players have effectively been given carte blanche to slog and it has worked. Over the past 13 months, England has collectively batted at a strike rate of 4.51, winning 11 Tests and drawing one from the 15 it has played since McCullum took over.

Middle-order blaster Harry Brook has 818 runs at a strike rate of more than 99. Opener Ben Duckett has 690 runs at a strike rate of 97.18.

Speaking on Wednesday, Brook said he would seek to attack Lyon.

“If he bowls a good ball, then I’m going to respect it. Other than that, I’m going to try and take him on. He could get a lot of wickets but hopefully we’re going to hit him for a lot of runs,” Brook said.

“I didn’t say I’d try and hit him for six. I’d like to think I’m a player who can find gaps and hit different gaps. I try and play all round the wicket. I’ll see whatever field he has. I’m sure they’ll probably start with everybody up and we’ll go from there.”

Harry Brook frees his arms during an England nets session. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

While England’s method under McCullum has been a resounding success thus far, it is yet to come up against Australia under his leadership. The Aussies were on Sunday crowned World Test Champions, but Brook said he was confident the English style would stand up against Pat Cummins’ men.

“Baz (McCullum) and Stokesy have said plenty of times that it might not come off every time but the longevity over the time of doing it, I’m sure it will come off more than not.”

Lyon enters the first Test in form, having taken 5-60 in the WTC final win against India. He also took 9-161 at Edgbaston in the 2019 Ashes, including a six-wicket haul on day five to lead Australia to victory.

Australian vice-captain Steve Smith said the Aussies would look to stick to their guns despite England’s revolutionary approach.

“Mainly just around playing our game and not trying to keep up with their fast-paced game. Knowing that we‘ve been playing some really good cricket the last couple of years at our tempo. Sticking to our strengths, playing to our tempo and doing that to the best of our abilities,” Smith said.

Steve Smith tunes up for the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, where Australia will boast the top three batters on the ICC rankings. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Smith has meanwhile moved to No.2 in the ICC Test batting rankings, sandwiched by teammates Marnus Labuschagne (No.1) and Travis Head (No.3). It is the first time three players from the same team have filled those spots since West Indian trio Larry Gomes, Clive Lloyd and Gordon Greenidge in 1984.

“I think it‘s cool to see us at the top of the tree in terms of the rankings,” Smith said. “The improvements those two have made over the past four or five years have been exceptional. “

Despite recent fitness issues, England captain Ben Stokes had an extended bowl in the nets on Wednesday.

Originally published as How Nathan Lyon is preparing for England’s Bazball onslaught ahead of first Ashes Test