Australia won the third test match of Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023 at Indore by nine wickets, India now has a lead of 2-1 against the visitors. Aussies have qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final after avoiding a clean sweep in the four-match series. Australian spinners picked 19 wickets and while only one went to the pacer, most of the dismissal was claimed by Nathan Lyon with his 11 scalps at the Indore match.
Lyon said he is lucky to have picked wickets of some of the best batters like Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara-
“I don’t think I have mastered it (bowling to Indian batters), I have been lucky enough to get some of the best players like Virat and Pujara and the others, I just love challenging myself at this level and get a big thrill out of that,” said the veteran off-spinner.
With a first-innings lead of 88 runs after the visitors scored 197 runs in the first innings and bowled out India for 109 mark, Lyon although picked up three wickets in the first innings. The veteran off-spinner helped Australia bundle India out for just 163 in the second innings, setting the target of 76 runs to be chased on day three.
During his second innings spell at Indore, the 35-year-old registered 8/64 and became the second most successful overseas bowler in India, with 53 wickets from his 10 games.
Nathan Lyon loves bowling in India ?
More on his stunning spell ➡️ https://t.co/62XsJZZ486#INDvAUS | #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/40G7ml5jji
— ICC (@ICC) March 2, 2023
“I don’t think I have mastered it (bowling to Indian batters), I have been lucky enough to get some of the best players like Virat and Pujara and the others, I just love challenging myself at this level and get a big thrill out of that,” he further added.
“I don’t have all the tricks or all the trades in the game but one thing I do have is belief in my stock ball and that is the biggest thing in world cricket, if you believe in your best ball then you can challenge the best players in the world for longer periods of time,” said Lyon on his bowling abilities.
Nathan was also declared player of the match for his 11 wickets in the third test match of BGT, Australia has reached the WTC Final 2023 by avoiding a clean sweep in the series, India now has the 2-1 lead in the four test match series, the home side needs to win the last game to qualify for the WTC Final in England.