Gaji
Australia captain Michael Clarke has authorized the collection of the little-known Redbacks' off-spinner Nathan Lyon for the tour of Sri Lanka.
Lyon is the newest slow bowler to be given his shot in the post-Shane Warne era, the former Adelaide Oval grounds man plucked from near darkness and thrown a baggy green cap.
It highlights the collection panel's ongoing search for answers, but Clarke is throwing his full support at the back the untested rookie.
"I haven't seen much of Nathan Lyon. I've spoken to him but still haven't seen him face to face," Clarke admits before leaving for Sri Lanka.
"He's had a huge tour to Zimbabwe with Australia 'A' and I've hear some great information of his bowling over there. "He gets a chance to come to Sri Lanka and bowl in what are usually good spinning conditions."
"If you don't perform well as a team, new guys come in and get a chance and this is what's happen in Nathan's case. "He's surely got a lot of talent. It's about charitable him a go and seeing how he handles playing for Australia."
Lyon, who is by now in Sri Lanka with the T20 squad, will unite with Western Australian left-arm spinner Michael Beer, who played his one and only Test in last summer's Ashes series.
It is an inexpert spin line-up but Clarke is looking forward to seeing Lyon work in combination with Beer on the turning Sri Lankan pitches.
"I think we have a good grouping. We have a left-arm orthodox (Beer) and a right-arm finger spinner (Lyon)," he said.
"It's good to have two different spinners. As a bowling partnership in bike I think they can really work well together." While Australia is in rebuilding phase, much the same can be said of the Sri Lankans.
Champion spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who took a record 800 Test wickets, has connected leading pacemen Lasith Malinga and Chaminda Vaas in departure.
Clarke concedes Australia's task will be somewhat easier without that trio but warns the home side will present a huge challenge in all three Tests.
"It will absolutely help us not having those three fantastic players not playing," he said. "But I think they will be a lot more spirited in their own country. They love playing in their own conditions.
"They've got plenty of talent with bat and ball and plenty of experience." Clarke says the back problem that has plagued him all through his career is convenient and he is looking forward to the challenge of lifting Australia's flagging fortunes.
"It's a tour we're all keyed up about," he said. "This is the time for us to not only rebuild as a group but start this journey together.
"There are going to be some challenges and some tough battles but I am looking forward to be in the middle of it and trying to lead from the front with the bat."
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