Justin Langer believes Nathan Lyon holds the key to Ashes victory

<p>Justin Langer is backing Nathan Lyon to win the Ashes for Australia.</p>

<p>Anticipation has reached fever pitch as the newly crowned World Test champions take on a resurgent England in the opening Ashes Test in Edgbaston on Friday.</p>

<p>The war of words in the build-up has included some strong statements from England batter Harry Brook about Lyon, claiming he will "take him on", but Langer is having none of it.</p>

<p>"You hear 'they are just going to smash Nathan Lyon,'" Langer told The Telegraph.</p>

<p>"But, I was watching this week and Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli [failed]. And I'm going, it's not that easy to do. I think he could be the difference in the series."</p>

<p>Last week, Langer looked on as Lyon racked up tidy match figures of 5/60 to help the Baggy Greens claim the Test mace in the final against India.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, over in the England camp, the powers that be sent out an SOS to the recently retired Moeen Ali. The all-rounder answered the call and has since been named in the starting XI. Ali has proved valuable with the bat, but Langer is confident he won't shine with the ball.</p>

<p>"England don't have a world-class spinner," continued the former opening bat.</p>

<p>"That's no disrespect to Moeen. He's a good offie, but he's not Nathan Lyon. I never realised until I started coaching Australia how good a bowler Nathan Lyon is. He's a very, very good bowler. Hard to get away, and incredibly important to Australia.</p>

<p>"Not only does he take wickets, but he bowls a lot of overs and traditionally holds up one end."</p>

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