Bailey backs Lyon to hold spot
Australian batsman George Bailey has thrown his support behind off-spinner Nathan Lyon, declaring it would be a "really hard" decision to change the successful bowling attack from the first two Ashes Tests.
Responding to calls for an all-out pace barrage on a fast WACA wicket, Bailey pointed to the success of the bowling attack.
Lyon took 1-64 and 1-78 in Adelaide after 2-17 and 2-46 at the Gabba in the first Test.
"I think given the results of our last two Tests it would be hard to leave Nathan out," Bailey said.
"I think as a bowling group we have done really well. To win Test matches you have to take 20 wickets so for our bowling group to have done that as well as they have on two very different wickets, I think they are gelling well.
"It would be a really hard decision to change that."
Bailey predicted opportunities for batsmen and bowlers in this Test, although he admitted that facing Mitchell Johnson at the WACA Ground in the Sheffield Shield hadn't been fun.
"Historically it has been a pretty good, fast, bouncy wicket and I am sure this one will be no different," he said.
"I don't think we are hoping for anything in particular. From a team perspective as much as we enjoyed winning that Test yesterday and celebrating that and going two nil up, it has very much been drilled into us that we have won two Tests in 12 months.
"If the wicket plays as it has in the past you would think that the faster bowlers are going to be pretty excited. Mitchy would be licking his lips, along with our boys, as I am sure the English bowlers are as well.
"It is a challenge. As a cricketer you do love coming to all the grounds around Australia when they have their different characteristics.
"When you come to the WACA you know you are going to get fast, bouncy wickets and you have got to deal with that as a batter.
"I am sure the fast bowlers get excited when they come here and I am sure the batters do as well.
"If you can invest a little bit of time as a batsman there are plenty of runs to be had."
