Lyon sees upside in Adelaide shift to red-ball Test

The leading wicket-taker in Test cricket at Adelaide Oval, Nathan Lyon, says his approach to bowling at the venue won't change with a red ball Test this summer.

Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon Picture: twitter

Nathan Lyon says Adelaide Oval's switch to a red-ball Test won't change the way he bowls at his most dominant venue, as Australia host West Indies there for a second straight summer.

Adelaide will have a rare January daytime Test in the newly-released summer schedule, with their usual December day-night match pushed to later in the season.

Cricket Australia have opted to start the men's Test summer in Perth on December 14, with the organisation prioritising sending the more marketable Pakistan team to Western Australia.

Officials are keen to build up the prestige of Tests at Perth's Optus Stadium, after poor crowds attended last year against West Indies after a two-year absence due to COVID.

Pakistan will also play the Boxing Day and New Year's Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, before West Indies arrive for Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane.

The Adelaide Test will start on a Wednesday due to Windies' schedule commitments, before a day-night fixture at the Gabba rounds out the Test summer from January 25.

South Australia have made no secret of their frustration at being moved to January and hosting West Indies again, but AAP has been told they did request a day Test after missing out on a December or New Year's fixture.

Lyon has become the king of Adelaide in recent years after going from working as a curator at the venue to the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket there.

And the offspinner insisted the change would not leave the venue at risk of being too batter-friendly.

"I am actually excited to play a red-ball game there, seeing as we haven't played a red-ball game there for a number of years," Lyon told AAP.

"I think it is the best place to play cricket worldwide. The contest between bat and ball. It's so even.

"I don't think it changes too much if I am being honest."

Of Lyon's 60 Test wickets at Adelaide, 28 have come with the pink ball at an average of 23.85.

His record with the red ball at the ground is almost as strong, with 32 Test wickets at 27.62.

Regardless, Lyon said he did not need to alter the way he bowls with the move from red to pink ball.

"I don't change much at all," he said.

"It's the same process. It's just about doing what I do, doing my skill over and over. Keeping it very simple.

"When we complicate things, that's when we get ourselves in trouble."

Australia and West Indies will also meet for three ODIs and three T20s in late January and February, before Australia head to New Zealand for two Tests and three T20s.