WTC Final: Nathan Leone takes caution ahead of South Africa’s struggle; Call Proteas Top Order ‘Class Players’. Cricket news
Australian off-spinner Nathan Leone believes that South Africa is facing in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on 11 June, which will present unique challenges despite Australia’s experience in winning ICC trophies, as major factors citing foreign conditions and duke balls. Australia enters the match as a defending champion with players who have won several ICC tournaments including 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cup and 2021 T20 World Cup.The experience of the Australian team in high pressure situations gives him an advantage, but Leon admitted that it does not matter on the match day.“The experience of those who have won three (50-over) World Cup and T20 World Cup and obviously the World Test Championship a few years ago in the final, that experience and pressure in those high sports, it’s in our favor, it’s not, but it’s nothing when it comes to the game,” Lyon said.The English position varies from Australian pitches, which offers swing for bowlers instead of bounce, while Duke Balls behave differently from the Kukaburra balls used in Australia.
“This is going to be with a different challenge and foreign circumstances and Duke Balls. It is going to be two best bowling attacks going to each other which is another exciting thing, so it’s a good challenge for all batsmen,” Lyon explained.Leone is closely monitoring the performance of South African players, especially in his recent tour against Zimbabwe.“I am a cricket Nafee, so I have seen a reasonable amount of cricket and even included in his game against Zimbabwe,” Lyon said. “They have found some class players as I said that with the choice of Eden Markram, Ricelton, at the top of the order there, they are the class players, there is no point in hiding behind that fact.”Quiz: Who is that IPL player?The spinner specifically referred to his experience in front of David Bedingam in county cricket.He said, “I played against Bedingam in county cricket last year and he is a special player, so at the end of the day it is going as people who do basics … and enjoy the moments of pressure,” he said.Leone confirmed his recovery from a hip injury during the Home Test series against India.Lyon said, “After Sri Lanka, I got a little break after my hip is correct and now it’s all good.” “I honestly have not stopped training since the end of Sri Lanka and bowling war, I’m probably going for a good five to six weeks now.”He expressed satisfaction with his current form and preparation.Lyon concluded,
