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Legends split on Lyon for Brisbane

Border, Warne weigh in on spin for first Test

Nathan Lyon has the support of Australia's greatest spin bowler, and a current Test paceman, but a former skipper says the off-spinner should be left out of Australia's side for the first Commonwealth Bank Test of the summer.

Lyon has missed just four Tests since making his debut in Sri Lanka in 2011, and has taken 115 wickets in 35 matches at an average of 35.80.

One of the games he missed came against India in Perth in 2012, when he was left out as Australia opted for four quicks on a bouncy WACA Ground surface.

And former Test captain Allan Border says the Aussies should opt for a similar approach when they face the Indians in the first Test at the Gabba, starting on December 4.

Pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson is a certainty to lead the attack in Brisbane, while a fit-again Ryan Harris, 55-Test veteran Peter Siddle and the uncapped Josh Hazlewood are all in contention to play.

And with allrounder Shane Watson and Mitch Marsh also in the frame, Australia have no shortage of pace-bowling options for the first of four Tests against the tourists.

Given India have traditionally struggled with the extra pace and bounce they encounter in Australia, Border says the Aussies should play to their strengths.

"I am not sure what sort of pitch we will get but it will bounce a lot more than what they are used to so let's just hit them with what our best options are, so for this game I would be leaving Lyon out," Border told News Corp.

"I think Lyon is out of touch and the way the pitch is (he should not play).

"It is just the horse for the course.

"If I am an Indian batsman I would be rather facing him than Siddle or Hazlewood or whoever the fourth quick is.

"People say we have Shane Watson and Mitchell Marsh, but they are batsmen who can bowl a little bit and particularly Watto needs to be fully fit (to bowl)."

While Border has called for all-out pace, spin legend Shane Warne has backed Lyon to retain his spot at a ground where he has taken 15 wickets in three Tests at an average of 21.86.

Despite the Gabba's reputation as a fast-bowler's paradise, Lyon has relished the extra bounce in Brisbane and picked up seven wickets for the match on debut there against New Zealand three summers ago.

Warne, who himself took 68 wickets in 11 Tests at the ground, says Lyon's record over more than three years means he has earned the right to be given another chance.

"Nathan Lyon has done enough; I think he's done a pretty good job over a period of time," Warne told 3AW on Tuesday.

"I think he'll be the No.1 spinner and I think he deserves the first crack at it in the Test match in Brisbane."

Lyon picked up three wickets in Australia's recent 2-0 series loss to Pakistan, and finished with match figures of 1-111 in NSW Blues' Bupa Sheffield Shield loss in Brisbane this week.

But despite his lean spell – at least in terms of wickets – Test teammate Ryan Harris says the offie remains Australia's No.1 tweaker.

Harris, who was a part of the Bulls team that beat the Blues, said Lyon remains ahead of the likes of leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, who impressed during Australia's recent T20 series win over South Africa.

"I will stick up for ‘Lyono’ a bit," Harris said. "Cam (Boyce) is around the mark but I think Nathan is still our best spinner.

"We are playing for the national team so we are all under the pump. But I think he bowled OK (against) Pakistan.

"He's bowled a lot on first-day wickets, which is tough to do."