Fortune favours the brave but also sometimes the naive. Whichever Nathan Lyon is, he deserves all the credit he gets for his five-wicket haul on debut.
Granted, it is a favourable pitch for spinners in Galle. Well, favourable is a bit of an understatement.
There are parts of the Sahara Desert, that aren’t as dusty as this pitch and you know the ball is going to turn square when a spinner is introduced in the seventh over of a Test Match (Sri Lankan left-armer Rangana Herath, who then proceeded to dismiss Shane Watson with his first ball).
In claiming his 5 for 34, Lyon tossed the ball up, put it in good areas and drew the impatient Sri Lankan batsmen into mistakes.
Exactly the type of thing your off-spinner should be doing on a pitch like the one in this first Test.
Those attributes in themselves, whether as a result of bravery or naivety, are worth praising.
Lyon was not overwhelmed in the cauldron of his Test debut. He looked comfortable and confident and reaped the benefits of executing the basics in favourable conditions.
Lyon, an Adelaide Oval groundsman when he was first drafted into the South Australian side, was complemented well during the first innings at Galle, by the nagging line of fellow debutant Trent Copeland, the economy of Ryan Harris (who was about as expensive as bargain bin wrapping paper) and the timely wicket-taking of Shane Watson.
Australia also fielded well. In particular, their catching was excellent.
Lyon put an exclamation point on that with a stunning caught and bowled for Sri Lanka’s 10th wicket. Young Nathan hadn’t been that horizontal since he got out of bed that morning.
To Sri Lanka’s credit, they fought well in Australia’s second innings and got two early wickets to have Australia two for five.
Coming to the crease, in this tricky predicament was Michael Clarke. The new Test captain proceeded to bat the best he has in 18 months (which I realise is not saying much considering a cardboard cut-out of Clarke potentially could have averaged more than the real Clarke has in that time) and compiled an enterprising innings, full of elegant strokeplay and quick footwork to the spinners.
Unfortunately, on 60 Clarke disappointingly got out attempting a hoick reminiscent of a club cricketer aiming for ‘Cow Corner’.
That then triggered a mini-collapse late on day two.
Despite this, thanks to the bowlers, Australia are still in the box seat in the first Test.
Six down for 115 overnight, the Australians are 283 runs ahead. The spearhead of the attack (yes I’m anointing Lyon the spearhead, at least for the rest of this match) will have a big part to play in the final innings.
It will be interesting to see if the off-spinner can rise to the occasion again.
On first impressions, it appears Australia may be 11th time lucky in their search for an effective spinner since the retirement of Shane Warne.
Not a bad strike rate, as by my estimation, one out of 11 is at least twice as good a clip as Geoff Boycott’s batting strike-rate. So it’s not all bad.
However, just like the pitch in Galle, first impressions can be deceiving.
Australian cricket fans will be hoping that when it comes to their first sight of Nathan Lyon in the baggy green, that it is love at first spin.
If the love flows for Lyon, my bet is that Test sides picking groundsmen as their spinner will become the next cricket trend.
cdavi267
Roar Rookie
Clarke is spelt with an "e". Just sayin coz you can get cofused with the former ozzie fast bowler. even confused me, then i remembered the Vodafone ad
jamesb
Guest
...........like following bangladesh
Marcus Taylor
Roar Rookie
I think what was most pleasing about him was the fact that he kept it simple. Generally, he landed a ball on a length, same ball time in time out. Variations in spin and pace come with experience, but for any young spinner, all you want is them to bowl the same ball six times in a row, spinning it hard. The Sri Lankans showed a lack of respect in the first innings, and played him smartly in the second, sitting on him and waiting for the bad ball. But in saying that, generally he did the job spinners are supposed to do. It wasnt until Warne that spinners were expected to do much more than clean up the tail. Even Murali got the bulk of his wickets against 7-11. Keep it simple, and keep spinning it hard.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
LeftArm Spinner, Then you arent a fan of cricket. You were a bandwagon fan of a particular cricket team, and when times got tough for that team you found something else to do with your life.
matt
Guest
Yeah I don't really care what Clarke is selling. No one really had a problem with Pontings Vitamin selling. I also would like to applaud Copeland. What a performance. Would have liked to have seen a bit more of him in the 2nd innings. Hope the selectors don't think they need more speed and get the wood chopper Siddle in again!
Lolly
Guest
He didn't drop short much - a bit more so in the second innings - and for a debut spin bowler that is a very big deal. Just let him sit in the team for at least 2 or 3 series. I know that won't happen. If he gets spanked around in the second test match, he'll probably have his card marked, but he has looked like someone who actually can play a role as a proper spin bowler instead of being a plug. He created some chances today as well and he didn't look overawed at all that I could see which speaks volumes about his natural levels of confidence.. I just want to see a young player given a proper chance instead of being ditched quickly when they are not living up to some fantasy standard that the experienced players never have to reach.
Al from ctown
Guest
Oh no, clarkes face on a billboard... He must think we are stupid! Seriously, what a pathetic thing to say... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Brett McKay
Guest
Lee, of all the debutant and recycled spinners used since Warne - and there's been a few - I'd rate Lyon's opening day as a Test bowler up there with the very best of them. It's one thing to have favourable conditions, but it's a whole other thing to be good enough to make use of those favourable conditions, and Lyon couldn't have done it much better than he did. I completely understand the need to tread carefully with young spinners - and more so with young spinners who look likely - but when you see drift and drop and bounce and turn like Lyon's yesterday, it's hard not to get excited...
Lee McDonald
Roar Guru
I agree we certainly shouldn't be anointing Lyon the next Shane Warne (Which would be hard considering he is an offie. Even claiming he is the next Tim May would be too early at this stage). However, he is off to a good start and seemed to show a poise and confidence that was lacking from some of his spinning predecessors.
Lee McDonald
Roar Guru
Sad to hear you have left the world of cricket watching LAS. Hopefully some changes in the administration of the game and a change in fortunes for the Aussies will being you back sometime soon.
Matt F
Guest
We have to be a little bit cautious before we rush to proclaim his greatness. Most spinners would take wickets on this pitch, hell we all remember Krejza's fluke test match! The challenge will be for him to succeed in conditions not as friendly to spin. South Africa and the home summer will be good tests for him in the next few months. We also have to be careful not to proclaim him as the next Warne (which let's be honest will happen by some people) and then complain when he doesn't live up to it (who can really!) Having said that he did everything right so far and deserves the plaudits. Good signs so far
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Lyon is such a good example of what has happened to my 41 year love affair with all things cricket. Until I saw him get his first test wicket, I had never even heard of him. Truly. As I watched his first ball, I had to determine what type of spin he was bowling. I don't know his nickname, nor do I have a funny story about him or even what hand he bats with. This bizarre situation is a combination of things: dramatic loss of interest in all forms of cricket by me, appalling communication by CA and the players to cricket heartland together with atrocious decisions, behaviour and pathetic on field performances by the players. There are signs that it is changing but, still, Clark has his face on billboards flogging the worst phone network in Australia. does he think we are stupid???????? Best of luck Mr Lyon. Anyway, as i have not been at a cricket game for more than 18 months, despite having paid for tickets through my SCG membership, it is very unlikely that I will be attending tests, Big bashes that have the amateur look of rugby's ill-fated ARC, shield or any other meaningless contest involving a piece of leather and a bat. Sad but true.