Mitchell believes Lyon will get a lot of assistance off the pitch during days four and five

The curator of the pitch at The Gabba in Brisbane has announced that Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon will benefit from the conditions by the start of the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa.

Kevin Mitchell noted that the pitch would start to deteriorate by the start of the fourth day and stated that he would be absolutely shocked if Lyon did not get any assistance from the dust and cracks that start to form.

News.com.au quoted Mitchell as saying: “Absolutely, the pitch will start to crack and dust up by late day four and certainly on day five. I think you would certainly want to go in with a spinner and that is what history tells you to do as well.”

The Gabba is known to be a paradise for pace bowlers and have nothing in it for spinners, but Mitchell still believes that Lyon will dominate during day four and five.

“The pitch will be quick and with plenty of bounce early in the match but I think having a spinner late in the match could be very important,” Mitchell added.