India vs Australia – “Most sixes have been hit…”: Nathan Lyon on why he is fearless

Most spinners don’t mind hitting a boundary or two in search of wickets but veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is happy when batsmen are defending him for long periods. Arguably the best off-spinner to have played for Australia, Lyon rattled the Indian batsmen with his moves to seal a possible match-winning eight for 64 in the third Test on Thursday.

He got India skipper Rohit Sharma to misjudge his length, tricking Shubman Gill with a flight and drift that went straight to the palace of KS Bharath, who played for turn.

The 35-year-old, who is playing his 118th Test and has taken 479 wickets, talked about his mindset while bowling.

“It doesn’t matter what wicket I’m playing on. If I can get someone to defend, I’m more than happy. That’s the nuts and bolts of my secret, to try and keep people out for long. To defend. It means I am putting the balls in the right areas.

“Having said that, I don’t mind if people try and hit me. I have got the most number of sixes in Test history, so I am not afraid of getting hit for sixes (smiles). It is a big challenge ” But I don’t mind it but defending guys is more challenging,” said Lyon, who relies on over-spin to trouble batsmen.

Notable in his performance was the fact that he took all his wickets from round the wicket, which is seen by some as a negative tactic.

“I know a lot of people see it as a negative. I see it as the complete opposite. I think it’s very offensive, you’re bringing up all manner of dismissals. Time’s changed. When you were able to bowl at stumps and still be a good player in the in-line.

“Yes, it can happen occasionally, but when you bowl on that line, good batsmen around the world get straight off the line. But when you come around the wicket with big spin, It brings all the ways to get out.” ,” he explained.

On his effort on Thursday, Lyon seemed pleased but said he would not have done much differently in Nagpur when he took only one wicket before taking seven in Delhi.

“To be honest, I was very happy with the way I bowled in Nagpur. I understand the quality of cricketers we are coming up against. I know the challenges against these guys, but the way I bowled in Nagpur. I was very happy with the way he bowled.”

“I was very pumped for a seven-for with Toddy Murphy (another Offie). Nothing’s changed for me. It’s about trusting my stock ball and getting the basics right. That’s what I tell after every game.”
Pujara is an incredible cricketer

Lyon always praises Pujara who brings out his best against Australia. It was no different in the second innings as he batted in full contract to the rest of the batsmen who struggled. He scored 59 runs from 142 balls before being undone by a special catch by Steve Smith at leg slip before stumps.

“I wouldn’t call him flashy or anything like that. But he’s an incredible cricketer. I’ve got a lot of respect for the way he goes about it. There’s nothing holding him back, whether it’s bouncing at the Gabba or You are spinning in Indore. He starts looking for a way and a way.

He said, ‘Many boys and girls can bat like her and learn from her. He doesn’t have the reverse sweep and shots like that, but one thing he does have is incredible defence. Test cricket is in my eyes. Built around defense. We saw his class once again on a challenging wicket,” he said.

Lyon has excelled around the world but expectations are high when he plays the rank turner in India.

How does he deal with it? “It’s been an interesting start to my career, I think I felt the weight of trying to win games in the last few innings.

“It was actually my father who sat me down (in 2012) and said ‘Look, if you play your part, someday you will have success and someday you will have it… You are able to recognize it and when it It’s your time, grab it and run it with both hands.

“My dad, who really simplified it for me, I think,” Lyon said.

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