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Lyon's Test spot on the line at Adelaide

5th December, 2014
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Why is Australia's best spinner continually ignored in the shorter forms? (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Expert
5th December, 2014
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Nathan Lyon has had some harsh treatment in the past from the selectors, but he is lucky they have shown tremendous faith by retaining him for Tuesday’s first Test against India.

I am a big supporter of Lyon and believe he has the ability, technique and temperament to become an elite Test spinner.

His returns this year, however, have been paltry and if again he is toothless this week Australia should considering sending him back to Shield cricket.

Over his past nine Tests, Lyon has grabbed just 26 wickets at the lofty average of 47. He was particularly ineffective against Pakistan in the UAE in spin-friendly conditions when his side desperately needed him to lead the way.

Granted, Stephen O’Keefe was similarly benign in the first Test of that series but he was battling the nerves of a debut Test appearance.

As the senior spinner, with considerable experience behind him at the highest level, Lyon failed in his role. He did not vary his pace enough, or his angles on the crease, which made him predictable and an easy target for the spin-adept Pakistan batsmen.

This week he will encounter another side with a raft of players who are most at ease against slow bowling.

The docile nature of Adelaide’s drop-in pitch means that once the shine goes off the ball for Australia’s quicks, Lyon’s role will be huge. He must show improvement or Australia should give strong thought to replacing him with O’Keefe for the second Test at the Gabba.

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It would be a somewhat tough call on Lyon given his brilliant record in Brisbane, where he has 15 wickets at 22 from three Tests. But it might not be a bad thing for him either.

It is easy to overlook the fact that Lyon has only just turned 27 years old, which makes him a relative pup in spin terms. He has done wonderfully well to have 115 Test wickets to his name by this age. Most finger spinners do not reach their peak until they are in their 30s.

The world’s best all-round off spinner, Saeed Ajmal, was almost five years older than Lyon is now when he made his Test debut. England’s recently-retired spin wizard Graeme Swann was pushing 30 by the time he earned his first Test cap.

Arguably the most effective Test spinner in the world right now, Rangana Herath, is in career best form despite the fact he’ll turn 37 in a few months. Pakistan’s new spin sensation Zulfiqar Babar, who recently destroyed Australia, will be 36 years old this week and is only just beginning his Test career.

Lyon could still be playing Test cricket in a decade’s time. Dropping him now would not ruin his career and may in fact propel him to far greater heights.

Lyon is renowned for having an admirable attitude and has been graceful the past two times he was dropped, both of which were harsh calls.

That much was clear from the vision of Lyon beaming widely and clapping on Ashton Agar from the stands during his debut innings, despite the teenage wildcard having taken his spot for last year’s Ashes opener in unfair circumstances.

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Lyon remains Australia’s best long-term spin option. He must prove this week, though, that he does not need a spell at domestic level.

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