Wednesday 29 November 2017 16:38, UK
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon has welcomed England's batsmen to try and "whack me out of the attack" in the second Ashes Test.
The 30-year-old stoked fires ahead of the opening match in Brisbane when he accused England's 2013-14 side of being "frightened" in their 5-0 whitewash defeat.
Lyon took five wickets at the Gabba as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the series, conceding less than 2.5 runs an over to stifle the tourists' scoring, and the bowler has challenged England's batsmen to go on the offensive at Adelaide Oval.
"I think if they did do that, it does definitely play into my hands," said Lyon. "I like it when opposition guys try to attack me and try to whack me out of the attack.
"But it's a part of the game. No doubt England will come prepared and they'll have a different plan for me compared to what they had in the first Test but it it is what it is.
"It's about adapting, it's about enjoying the challenge and embracing the game of cricket."
Lyon was criticised in the lead-up to the Gabba Test for saying he hoped Australia could end careers during the Ashes series, including that of his former club team-mate and England captain Joe Root.
But Lyon said Root's team were a "classy" side on Wednesday, and that the Yorkshireman's bowlers would be favoured by the conditions in the first men's day-night Ashes Test.
"I think with the pink ball, it's going to suit their bowlers," said Lyon. "We know they're going to come back bigger and better and stronger.
"It's not going to be a walk in the park. We need to make sure that we respect them."
Australia batsman Usman Khawaja, meanwhile, has remained phlegmatic about his perceived issues against spin bowling - he was trapped lbw by Moeen Ali for 11 in Brisbane.
"Sometimes you just get out. It's cricket, it's always going to happen," he said. "It doesn't really bother me too much but I have a pretty simple game plan - watch the ball and hit it.
"I don't think there's anything too drastic I have to worry about, it's one game. Every time I go out there I watch the ball and score runs, I'm going to do exactly the same thing going forward.
"I would've liked to contribute a bit more last game but we're winning cricket games. For me that's what's so important."
