ICC World Cup 2019 | The most blatant panic call I’ve ever heard - Graeme Swann slams Nathan Lyon over 'favourites' comment

07/10/2019

Former English spinner Graeme Swann has slammed Nathan Lyon after the latter stated that the World Cup was 'England's to lose'. Swann hit back at Lyon claiming that Australia are the ones feeling the pressure, and that he wasn't surprised to see South Africa beat Australia in the group stages.

Ahead of the blockbuster semi-final encounter between England and Australia, mind games have been alplenty, with players from either side having their own say about the match. While all-rounder Ben Stokes said that his team knows how to beat the Aussies, Nathan Lyon claimed that England were the firm favourites and the pressure would be on them to come up with the goods, having dominated ODI for the past three years.

However, Graeme Swann has hit back at Lyon's comments, claiming that the reason Lyon made those comments in the first place was down to Australia feeling the pressure. Swann also termed Lyon's mind games as a "blatant panic call", while urging the English team to ignore his comments.

"Come off it, Nathan. I’m no psychologist but I think that’s the most blatant panic call I’ve ever heard. Nathan is prone to this kind of bluster so pay no attention. When a player says the pressure is on the opposition, it’s a sure sign their own team are feeling the pressure," Swann was quoted as saying by the Metro.

Heading into the semi-final, Australia lost their last group match against South Africa, and Swann had plenty to say about the defeat, claiming he was not surpised by the defeat. "I was not surprised to see Australia lose their final group stage match to South Africa. The Proteas are a much better team than the majority of their performances at the World Cup showed. You could say the opposite of the Aussies," said Swann, speaking about Australia's defeat.

Swann also claimed that Australia were lucky to have reached the semi-final, having had everything go their way throughout the tournament. Swann also said that England would be happy to facing Australia rather than India, claiming that the Aussies were "shown up" once they ran out of luck.

"They are not a great side, are by no means unbeatable, and have reached this stage with everything going their way – the toss, decisions and luck. As soon as their luck abandoned them, the Aussies were shown up. England will take nothing for granted but they will be far happier to be facing Australia than India at this stage," said Swann.

"Of course, England lost to Australia last month. But that was at Lord’s, England were without Roy and the little pussycat team that took to the field against the Aussies that day are long gone. They have been replaced by different, more clinical, animals." the former English cricketer concluded.