After his bowlers ran riot, taking the hosts to a thumping 360-run win over Pakistan in the opening Test, Australian skipper Pat Cummins on Sunday lauded openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and spinner Nathan Lyon for their dazzling performances.
Australia's veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon was still in a state of disbelief after completing 500 Test wickets during their thumping 360-run victory over Pakistan on Sunday in the first Test of the three-match series.
Pakistan openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique have started the process of laying a strong foundation after their pacers restricted Australia from crossing the 500-run mark on the second day of the first Test on Friday.
Australian spin ace Nathan Lyon, who is approaching the landmark of 500 Test wickets, said his spin twin Ravichandran Ashwin is someone whom he has watched closely from the start of his career and he has been one of his "biggest coaches".
Pakistan's first Test against Australia in Perth is expected to be played on a "fast, hard and bouncy wicket" as ten millimetres of grass has been left on the Optus Stadium pitch
Former Australia Test skipper Tim Paine labelled the SCG pitch as an "absolute disgrace" which was produced for the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Tasmania.
Lyon will enter the home summer with 496 Test wickets, and considering his record in Perth, he has a good chance of being the eighth bowler, and third Australian, to achieve 500 during the match.