India vs Australia: Nathan Lyon Labels WTC Final As Grand Final

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London, June 2: Seasoned spinner Nathan Lyon has said the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India will be the "grand final" for Australia before the new season starts with Ashes later in the month.

Australia will square off with India in the WTC final at The Oval from June 7 before the five-Test Ashes against England begins from June 16 at the Edgbaston in Birmingham.

India lost the inaugural WTC final in 2021 against New Zealand, while Australia has reached the summit clash for the first time. Lyon said playing the WTC final feels "bloody special".

"Yes, we are playing the Ashes but we've got a big game that we're up for. This (WTC final) is our grand final, and then our season basically starts again," Lyon was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press.

"That's probably where we're quite happy with where we're at with our planning. We are able to understand what we've got around the corner, and be OK. It's exciting to be part of the final and the fanfare and stuff around it, it's bloody special.

The Ashes has dominated the headlines over the past few months as Australia seek to win the marque series away from home for the first time in 22 years, but Lyon believes the fans should be equally excited about the World Test Championship final.

"I know every Australian fan is looking forward to the Ashes, and so they should be. But they should also be excited about this match," the off-spinner added.

Australia toured India earlier this year and lost the Border-Gavaskar Trohpy 2023, a four-match Test series, 1-2. However, Lyon believes the series result earlier this year won't have any bearing on the upcoming contest.

"You can wipe off anything that happened in India," Lyon said. "Both teams are really well rounded in their squads. It is going to be a really good challenge. India obviously have some class batters but they have some class fast bowlers as well.

"It's going to be a good challenge. Both squads going at it and competing for one game, it's going to be a really good challenge. It's a fresh start. I'm looking forward to it."

(With PTI inputs)