Australia’s off-spinner Nathan Lyon hasn’t produced any such spell in the ongoing Melbourne Test against Pakistan to ensure his place in the Sydney Test match, feels skipper Steven Smith. The offspinner’s figures of one for 115 in the first innings wasn’t going to buy any appreciation from Smith anyway.
Seemingly unhappy with Lyon’s bowling show in the first innings, Smith dropped a hint of him making an exit if he continues to perform poorly in his next stint. Passing the decision of retaining Lyon on the shoulders of selectors, Smith said Lyon has been mediocre and cannot assure his place in future too.
“I’m not sure. That’s up to the selectors. He obviously hasn’t bowled at his best in this game. It’s always difficult bowling to lots of right-handers.
Calling the Pakistani batsmen as better players of spin bowling, the captain admits bowling to the players from sub-continent doesn’t ensure wickets every now and then, but pinpointed Lyon’s lack of ability to show consistency with good line and length.
“And they [Pakistan] play spin pretty well. It’s never easy bowling against subcontinent players when the ball isn’t doing a lot off the wicket as well. I guess we’re just looking for Nathan to be a little bit more consistent in the way he bowls.“
Lyon being the most experienced member of Australia’s current squad and the country’s most prolific off-spinner of all time, as struggled to gather wickets as his average of 66.66 in last five matches isn’t even close to being called as good. He, however, managed just nine wickets during the course.
The squad for the third and final Test match is to be picked on Friday and Smith believes that a relatively new face might make the cut, keeping in mind the slower nature of the surface.