Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has praised the efforts of star batsman and South African batting mainstay Hashim Amla while stating the right-hander is a hard nut to crack when it comes to bowling against an elegant stroke maker. (Read Here: England Vs South Africa 2017: Just Did Our Basics Better – Faf Du Plessis).
“Personally, he’s one of the hardest guys to bowl to,” Lyon was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au after giving an exclusive interview to The Unplayable Podcast.
The 29-year-old New South Wales-born Lyon stated Amla has played a significant part for the Proteas while adding the 34-year-old batsman has been amassing runs at his will.
“He’s definitely a world-class batter and he’s piling on the runs at the moment,” Lyon added.
However, aware of the current stock of significant batters which include Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steven Smith, and Kane Williamson and so on, Lyon was impressed by the way Amla takes on against the bowlers.
“It’s always been a privilege to play against him, that’s for sure,” Lyon remarked.
The Durban-born Amla has scored 87 and 78 in the second Test at the Trent Bridge, as South Africa thrashed Joe Root-led side England by 340 runs in the second Test, to level the four-match Investec series one each.
Lyon revealed he would cherish the wicket of Amla while adding he is a threatening for the bowlers the way he shifts the gear after starting his innings.
“He’s always one guy you look at and go ‘I would really like that wicket’,” Lyon reiterated.
Interestingly, Lyon wants Amla to score runs at the pace against England in the ongoing series and expects to go through a poor run when Australia will take on South Africa next year.
“Hopefully he can keep doing that against the English and come February hopefully he runs out,” Lyon further added.
Lyon, who has featured in 67 Tests to claim 247 wickets, has dismissed Amla once in 11 matches and would be aiming to increase his number.
Listed among the top notch cricketers, Lyon stated Amla is a difficult batter to bowl at, as the latter revealed the former has every right answer to the plan of bowlers.
“He’s just so composed, nothing gets to him. He knows his game inside out, he knows the shots he wants to play and the timing of them,” Lyon said.
Lyon, who has shown the respect for the veteran batsman, stated Amla is currently among the best lot.
“He’s definitely up there, in the top five. I’ve got high praise for Hashim,” Lyon concluded.
Amla has played 105 Tests in which he has amassed 8,157 runs at an average of 49.43. He has smashed 26 hundreds and 34 fifties.