Before the two Test tours of Asian countries this year, the pressure was immense on Nathan Lyon after the Australia’s spin spearhead had a forgettable 2016.
In fact, his status as Australia’s No.1 spinner was under threat after his average performance in the 3-0 loss in Sri Lanka (16 wickets at 31.93) which was followed by a poor outing at home against South Africa (six at 57.66) and Pakistan (11 at 45.63).
However, his performance in India and Bangladesh this year has put all the doubts regarding his status as the number one Australian spinner to bed. He was Australia’s highest wicket-taker during the Test series against India and once again proved his worth with a staggering 22 wickets in the recently-concluded two-Test series in Bangladesh.
He further elevated his stature with his impressive 13-wicket haul in the second Test, helping Australia to crush the hosts by seven wickets and avoid a humiliating series wash. Speaking after the game, he revealed how the team had given him the responsibility to ‘control the ball’.
“Definitely. It’s probably up there, personally,” Lyon said of his performance after the win. “But sitting down with the skipper in Darwin, and obviously, before these Test matches, he put a big onus on me to take control of the ball. And if I’d kept bowling the way I’ve been bowling in the nets I’d hopefully be successful. So I’m very happy with the way the ball’s been coming out in the nets. Bowling to these guys in the nets, there’s no better practice.”
While Lyon shattered several records during his outstanding bowling performance, he made it clear that team’s cause is of utmost priority to him.
“Personal success, as everyone knows, is not something that I look at. It’s moments like we’ve got now, after winning a Test match for Australia, we’ll go back and sit around as a group and tell stories and then sing the song. And that’s what I play cricket for, those moments. To take 22 wickets in a two-match series, it’s a pretty big achievement personally. But as I said, I don’t do that without the other guys putting in at the other end, like Patty Cummins bowling well, Ashton Agar, Steve O’Keefe and even Hilton Cartwright in this game. So without the support of those guys and the skipper, it’s pretty hard to go out and have personal success. So I’m very pleased but very thankful as well.”
Australia captain Steven Smith also heaped lavish praise on the off-spinner and sounded delighted about Lyon’s growth as a bowler.
“I’m really proud of him,” Smith said. “I think he’s come a long way, particularly in the subcontinent over the last couple of years. He’s developed a different style at times. He knows when to bowl differently and when to bowl his stock ball. I thought the way he bowled throughout this series, to take 22 wickets in a two-match series is remarkable.
“Nathan’s probably a bit different to a lot of other spinners because he spins the ball such a big way with the way he bowls. He’s added another string to his bow by coming around, which is fantastic. It’s an invaluable experience. I think for Ashton, who’s come over here and played, he’s going to learn a great deal from playing the last two Test matches. I’m sure he’s going to improve in these conditions as well,” he added.