It is a massive challenge: Nathan Lyon hoping for spin-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka

Decorated Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is gearing up for a massive challenge in the form of a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Following the conclusion of the ODI series, Australia and Sri Lanka will kickstart the Test series on June 29 at the Galle International Stadium. 

Pat Cummins and his side are expected to be oozing in confidence after defeating Pakistan 1-0 in a three-match Test series away from home. However, despite their win in the subcontinent earlier this year, spinner Nathan Lyon believes that it will be tough for the Aussies to come up with the playing conditions. 

The veteran believes that the pitch in Sri Lanka is very different from that in Pakistan. Lyon is expecting domination from spinners right from day one in the Test series.

"It is a massive challenge (in Sri Lanka). It can be pretty different… especially if you are coming at the back of Pakistan where those wickets, they didn't break up. But here we are going to be a lot in the game as spinners from day one. In my past history here playing from my debut to another Test series number of years ago to now, the conditions are going to be pretty similar," Nathan Lyon said as quoted by News 18. 

Although Lyon is expecting a massive challenge for Australia, he believes that the Aussies are ready for the job. He also mentioned that his side will be looking forward to playing an impressive brand of cricket for 15 days in the island nation.

Lyon made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2011 and has so far claimed a whopping 427 wickets in 108 Test matches at an average of 32.1 and an economy rate of 2.64. 

"It's purely the belief that our process and what we are doing is starting to work. We all know how hard it is to win games of Test cricket away from home. I think just the pure belief that we are able to hang in there for 15 days of really hard Test cricket in the subcontinent in Pakistan and end up with the right result was probably the biggest thing," the spinner added. 

Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon has backed his teammate Mitchell Swepson to do well in Sri Lanka. For the past few games, Swepson has acted as the perfect spin partner for Lyon in Tests. However, following his poor performance in Pakistan, the selectors have kept their options open.

The chances of the spinner making it to the playing XI seems low during the first Test. Against Pakistan, Mitchell Swepson picked just two wickets at an average of 133.0 and a strike rate of 272. Though the spinner is going through a lean patch, he has received backing from Lyon. 

"I was really happy and really pleased with our partnership in Pakistan. I know he (Swepson) probably didn't have the ideal tour, but he's a very team-focused player, and we got the right team result.

"I'm really happy with our partnership. I think there's still a lot of learning for both of us, especially in this part of the world. We're excited for the challenges coming up, we know it's going to be hard work, but it's going to be pretty enjoyable," Nathan Lyon concluded.