Nov 13th, 2017

Nov 13th, 2017

Nathan Lyon has laid down the gauntlet to England ahead of the first Ashes Test on November 23, claiming that Australia can take replicate their achievements of four years ago and defeat England 5-0.

Speaking exclusively to Wide World of Sports, the Aussie spinner was confident that if Australia played to their potential and took the hype out of the contest, it was their series to lose.

"I think we definitely can [win 5-0].

"Especially if we play on skill and take the emotion and hype out of the Ashes campaign and the talk around the whole country.

"I think it's quite important for a young group to enjoy it. It's an Ashes series. It's the pinnacle of Australian cricket to play an Ashes series, especially at home.

"I think if we can take the emotion out of it and play on skill I definitely think we can win 5-0.

"It's going to be hard, there's no doubt about that.

Lyon said that there was a critical and underestimated element behind the Australians' success as a bowling unit.

He attributed the way the bowling group has bonded over the years as 'crucial' to the success of the squad, and that the fact they know each other away from the field helps how they perform on it.

"We bowl well in partnerships, the whole bowling squad.We have a good understanding of who can attack and who can defend on day 1 and Day 5.

"I think it's quite crucial that were really good mates in the whole bowling unit. We are really close.

"We hang out together at cricket and away from cricket.

"I think if we have that mateship going on away from the field and on the field I think it's quite crucial.

Lyon said that when it came to dismissing the opposition, Lyon didn't care whose name it was with the big numbers against them.

"I'm a big one to say that I don't care who takes the wickets, so long as the whole team bowls well and we take 20 wickets.

"Everyone will have their day in the light."

Facing his fourth series against the old enemy, Lyon said that his role would remain the same as it has in recent home summers.

"My role's not going to change too much throughout the summer compared to where it has been over the past couple of years."

The Ashes will be broadcast live and free on Channel Nine on November 23