Gabba curator warns Oz selectors not to sideline 'potent' Lyon if Watson declared unfit

The curator of the Brisbane's Gabba ground, the scene of the first Test of the winter Ashes series, has warned the Australian selectors against sidelining off-spinner Nathan Lyon after statistics revealed that the bowler is at his most potent when bowling in Brisbane.

There are fears that Lyon could be overlooked for the first Test against England if selectors opt for four fast bowlers as insurance if all rounder Shane Watson is unable to bowl, despite Lyon's 85 wickets in 25 Tests at 33.24.

According to News.com.au, however, Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell Jr believes that Lyon can be Australia's trump card as the off-spinner performs his best when deploying tweakers on wearing Gabba decks, which is evident in his 11 scalps from just two Tests at the Gabba at 24.09 since his entry to Test cricket in 2011.

Mitchell further said that his 23-year experience of pitch-preparing experience at the Gabba makes him fear that Australian selectors would be taking a major risk by relegating Lyon to 12th-man duties in the first Test, and urged Australia to pick one spinner.

According to Mitchell, the spinner comes into the game at the Gabba if the pitch is drying out in a five-day match, adding being tall and getting a bit of bounce, Lyon will be handy and bowl well at the Gabba, especially later in the game.