Australia spinner Nathan Lyon has said that though the Australian team has one eye on the upcoming Ashes 2023, their biggest test will be the ICC WTC 2023 final against India which will be played from June 7-11 at the Oval in London.
While this is the first time Australia is playing in the ICC World Test Championship final, India is appearing in the summit clash for the second consecutive year.
On the other hand, the five-Test Ashes against England beginning June 16 has dominated the headlines over the past few months as Australia seek to win the marque series away from home for the first time in 22 years.
"Yes, we are playing the Ashes but we've got a big game that we're up for. This (WTC final) is our grand final, and then our season starts again. That's probably where we're quite happy with where we're at with our planning.
We can understand what we've got around the corner and be OK. It's exciting to be part of the final and the fanfare and stuff around it, it's bloody special,” Lyon told Australian Associated Press.
“I know every Australian fan is looking forward to the Ashes, and so they should be. But they should also be excited about this match," he added.
Australia will head into the Ashes without any warm-up game with the WTC final being the lone match before the contest against England.
Lyon also said that Australia’s 1-2 Test series loss in India will not have any bearing on the WTC final.
“You can wipe off anything that happened in India. Both teams are well rounded in their squads. It is going to be a really good challenge. India have some class batters but they have some class fast bowlers as well. It's going to be a good challenge. Both squads going at it and competing for one game, it's going to be a really good challenge.
It's a fresh start. I'm looking forward to it," he said.
(PTI inputs)
