Lyon lashes cricket's great double-standard

Australian star Nathan Lyon has come to the defence of India's pitch curators after the criticism surrounding the playing surface in India's third Test against England.

With the series tied 1-1, the third Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium proved nigh on unplayable at times, with the tourists bundled out for 81 in their second innings as the match was wrapped up inside two days.

MORE: Root's spin destroys India on outrageous pitch

Despite winning the match by 10 wickets, India didn't cross 150 in their two innings, prompting questions over whether the surface was fit for an international match.

However, Lyon was full of praise for the wicket, and pointed out the double-standard when it comes to pitches that are conducive to spin bowling.

"We play on seaming wickets around the world and get bowled out for 47, 60. Nobody ever says a thing (about the pitch)," Lyon told AAP.

Nathan Lyon

"But as soon as it starts spinning, everyone in the world seems to start crying about it. I don't get it. I'm all for it, it was entertaining.

"It was absolutely brilliant. I'm thinking about bringing that curator out to the SCG."

Lyon's comments echoed those of Indian star Ravichandran Ashwin, who picked up his 400th Test wicket during the match.

"What makes a good surface? Who defines this? Seam on the first day, then bat well, then spin on the last two days? Come on, who makes all these rules? We need to get over it," Ashwin said after the match.

The pitch conditions will be under the microscope yet again, with the fourth and final Test of the series to be played at the same venue.

Despite the team's struggles, England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes backed his side to be able to deal with the conditions more effectively in the series finale.

"I was at training today and from the look of it I think it'll be pretty similar," Foakes said via Zoom.

"I don't think we're concerned. We know what we're going to get and I guess they're pushing their conditions to the extremities.

"We know it's going to spin considerably from ball one so it's about trying to find a way to play well in those conditions and understand they're going to be challenging."

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