Unified front a powerful weapon: Lyon

While the potency of Australia's bowling and two crucial additions to the top-order batting are cited as keys to their Ashes defence, off-spinner Nathan Lyon believes the tourists carry another equally powerful weapon heading into next month's series against England.

Lyon, about to embark on his third Ashes quest in the UK, claims the current men's squad is the most unified of any that he's been part of throughout his eight-year, 86-Test tenure.

The 31-year-old reckons that tight bond first formed in the lead-up to the ICC World Cup, in which the defending champions fell at the penultimate hurdle to eventual winners, England.

But Lyon, who is poised to overtake Dennis Lillee as the nation's third-highest Test wicket taker during the Ashes, feels that camaraderie has strengthened further since the 25-strong touring party formed in Southampton to finalise Ashes preparations.

While that solidarity might be tested in the four-day warm-up match starting at the Aegeas Bowl today – in which a 12-man team coached by Brad Haddin will take on a Graeme Hick-led opposition – Lyon has seen sufficient signs to know the fellowship is for real.

"One thing is the banter, and the way the team feels as mates," Lyon told 'The Unplayable Podcast' today.

"It's a lot closer than what I've probably ever been a part of.

"I know it's been written in the media and spoken about, but it's no lie – it's a tight-knit group and we're all really good mates which helps us play better cricket, I believe.

"That's why I'm quietly confident more than ever.

"Especially our bowling attack is, in my eyes, the best in the world.

"I know that's a big statement, but I believe that."

Lyon might have emerged on the wrong side of the Ashes ledger on his previous tours to Britain in 2013 (when Australia lost 0-3) and 2015 (a 2-3 defeat), but the motivation to redress those failures runs even deeper in others among the current touring party.

Haddin, the former Test keeper turned Bupa Support Team member who will oversee Lyon's team in the final trial for Ashes places, is embarking on his fifth campaign against England on their home turf stretching back to 2005 during which time he's yet to celebrate a series win.

But according to Lyon, the feeling of fraternity that has developed within the playing group – and particularly the bowling cartel he has built with New South Wales teammates Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins – suggests the form line is due to turn.

Image Id: A947E076CDA6489385A6C85A44E34827 Image Caption: The New South Wales bowling quartet of Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood // Getty

Only once in the almost 140 years that Australia has formally sent men's cricket teams to the UK – that being the 2005 series regarded as the greatest of the modern era – have they landed boasting a trio of bowlers who each lay claim to more than 150 Test wickets.

As it transpired, that 2005 campaign effectively turned when one of that trio (Glenn McGrath) was forced out of the pivotal second Test with an ankle injury, while another of the 150-plus club (Jason Gillespie) was shown to be in the twilight of his career.

The third trump card, leg spinner Shane Warne, almost single-handedly helped Australia retain the urn with 40 wickets at 19.92 from five Tests.

Image Id: 3AB67513E60649E9B03183671A418844 Image Caption: Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne depart The Oval during the 2005 Ashes // Getty

This time around, not only are the three main strike bowlers – Lyon (343 wickets), Starc (211) and Halewood (164) in their collective pomp, they are supplemented by two of the most potent Test quicks Australia has produced in more than a century.

Of the 58 bowlers to have taken 70 or more Test wickets for Australia, only Fred 'The Demon' Spofforth (averaging a wicket every 44.52 deliveries) and left-armer Jack Saunders (45.13) can claim better strike rates than Pat Cummins (46.82) and James Pattinson (46.84).

And as Pattinson pointed out yesterday, the fact that most of the current cartel of Australia quicks grew up playing with and against each other in representative and state teams only heightens the sense of destiny they all share.

"We've played a lot of junior cricket coming up, so we've known each other for over 10 years and it's just great to be back in a squad with those guys," Pattinson said of the opportunity to once more play alongside his partners in pace.

"They're fantastic bowlers and people that, when you bowl with them in the nets and in games, they push you to that next level.

"There's a bit of an aura about them when they're all bowling together.

"It's fantastic for the likes of me and a few others to come in and see the way they go about it.

"It's an exciting time to see everyone up and about, and it's the first time in a while we've had all our bowlers up and ready to go.

"So the selectors have got a plethora of bowlers to pick from, which is fantastic.

It's that depth and diversity of Australia's bowling attack which excites Lyon's enthusiasm on the eve of the four-day warm-up fixture that will likely decide the final few vacant positions in Australia's Ashes squad.

As the man with more Test wickets than any off-spinner after Sri Lanka's Muthiah Muralidaran (800) and India's Harbhajan Singh (417), Lyon both complements and compliments the quartet of quicks who are expected to spearhead Australia's Ashes push.

He also claims the camaraderie that is evident among the bowlers percolates through the entire expanded squad, from coach Justin Langer to uncapped 21-year-old batter Will Pucovski.

Image Id: A8237E4D354C4530BDCC0F2AB651C123 Image Caption: 21-year-old Pucovski spends time at Australian training with Justin Langer and Steve Waugh // Getty

"We've played a lot of cricket together now, and … the bowling group is as tight as it's ever been," Lyon said.

"But the feeling throughout the whole side, from the head coach right down to the youngest player, there's no real hierarchy.

"There's no 'I'm a senior player, you must do what I say' type thing.

"There's a lot of banter flying around, even from the youngest player in 'Puc' (Pucovski).

"It's a great feeling, to be honest."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Tour match: Hick XII v Haddin XII, July 23-26

First Test: Edgbaston, August 1-5

Tour match: Australians v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: Lord's, August 14-18

Third Test: Headingley, August 22-26

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: Old Trafford, September 4-8

Fifth Test: The Oval, September 12-16