Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has said that his team does not need two specialist spinners in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide as he has learned plenty since last year's drawn Test with South Africa at the same ground.
Australia had a series-clinching Test victory in their grips against South Africa at Adelaide Oval, which was tailor-made for Lyon to be the hero, however, South African middle-order batsman Faf du Plessis earned the plaudits as he batted for seven-and-a-half hours, accumulating 110 not out, to force a draw.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, although the result raised questions about Lyon's match-winning ability, the bowler said that he has learned and grown from that disappointment and struck a blow to the hopes of legspinner Fawad Ahmed and rising offspinner Ashton Agar by insisting that he is almost ready to go alone in Adelaide.
Stating that he has learnt a fair amount about his game and what he needs to do to get better, Lyon also said that he is keeping his fingers crossed that there would be some spin in Adelaide, adding that if the bowling group does their job, the part-time spinners would not need to bowl.
Lyon further said that he is more than happy to take on the responsibility of being the No.1 spinner and hopefully get a few overs under his belt.