Nathan Lyon's enthusiasm for Test cricket is at an all-time high as he readies himself for a comeback following the calf injury that prematurely ended his Ashes campaign earlier this year. He is particularly eager for the challenge of bowling against the "superstar" Babar Azam.
Lyon has completed three appearances in the Sheffield Shield in the past month, marking his return from an extensive rehabilitation period following the first significant injury of his Test career. He will play a pivotal role in Australia's bowling attack in his 101st match against Pakistan.
Optus Stadium in Perth, the venue for the inaugural Test of the season, has been a successful terrain for Lyon, where he has claimed 22 wickets in three matches. However, he anticipates a formidable contest against Pakistan, especially against the highly regarded Babar.
"Babar, firstly, has been a pleasure to play against but he's also been a massive challenge," Lyon told ESPNcricinfo. "He's one of the best batters in the world in my eyes, especially against spin. He's a class player. But think he's a class player against all types of bowling.
"They've got some superstars in the side, and if I'm talking superstars he's the No. 1 in the Pakistan side in my eyes. He played reasonably well out here last time so it's going to be a big challenge for us for sure."
After his disrupted Ashes series, Lyon will kick off the home summer with 496 Test wickets. Considering his track record in Perth, there's a strong possibility that he could become the eighth bowler, and the third Australian, to achieve five hundred wickets during this match.
"The hunger level for playing Test matches is probably higher than ever if I'm being honest," he said. "I'm proper excited about it. Love playing in Perth at Optus Stadium. It's going to be a challenge against Pakistan, so it's going to be an exciting battle."
Lyon claimed four wickets across his three Shield appearances for New South Wales and had a lighter workload during the recent match at the SCG, which favoured pace bowlers. However, he has been delivering numerous bowling sessions in the nets, including a three-hour session with mentor John Davison, and feels quite at ease with his preparation.
"My rehab has been exceptional," he said. "I've had a lot of good people in my corner helping me out, making sure I was ticking every box and making sure I was doing everything required. If I wasn't coming off cricket I'd been questioning it, but three Shield games, a one-day game a grade game, and a lot of training, [leaves me] feeling really happy with way things are."
Meanwhile, Pakistan has reached Canberra via Sydney earlier today to play practice game against Prime Minister XI.
- Babar Azam
