Nathan Lyon’s a pretty laidback character. A groundsman first picked for South Australia after doing well in the nets, Lyon impressed in the Twenty20 Big Bash and for Australia A before going on to take a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket.
It was that of Sri Lankan superstar Kumar Sangakkara.
Since then he’s managed to hold his own in Test cricket, with 42 wickets at an average of just under 28. To put this into perspective, since 1990 only S.K. Warne, S.C.G. MacGill – and oddly enough, M.G. Bevan – have had better records bowling spin for Australia.
And yet, to read the news you’d feel as though Lyon wasn’t performing. That he hadn’t taken 12 wickets in his last two Tests.
Brisbane Times journalist Phil Lutton described Lyon’s position in the Test team as being “worthy of debate” after Queensland batsmen spanked him around the Gabba earlier this season. There was an article on Cricinfo suggested Lyon isn’t a lay down misere for the first Test against South Africa.
When it comes to spin-bowling, it seems you really do have to prove yourself before getting a clear run at the Test team. And yet, is the pressure on Lyon really fair?
Certainly, he’s had some dry spells. His first five innings against India yielded just three wickets; after a five-wicket haul in his very first Test innings he then took just three in the next six innings he bowled in; and his eight wickets at just under 50 in England paled against Jon Holland’s 10 at 27.
But there’s a few things still in Lyon’s favour, not least his age (Lyon turns 25 in late November). Add to that the fact he’s shown himself as a fighter, coming back strongly against India and the West Indies after poor starts to those series.
Certainly, his Test record compares well to Warne’s after the same number of Tests (Warne had 47 wickets at just under 27). He also seems to know who to listen to and who to block out.
Most importantly though, dropping Lyon for another spinner would send the wrong message to both him and spinners around the country. Australia have gone through spinners the way Lady GaGa goes through outfits.
If conditions suit a second spinner or if Lyon is unavailable, then by all means give someone like Holland a go.
But right now, we’ve got a big talent in our hands.
Let’s not waste it.
Evan Askew
Guest
A poor game in the shield competition or even a poor record in the shield competition should not be considered as black and white case for non selection because spinners in Australia often get smashed at domestic level. Even the great Shane Warne had a poor record at shield level before he was picked. But his record aside, it should have being obvious even when he got belted on his test debut that he was a great bowler. Looking at Lyon, it seems that here is a bowler with ability because as mentioned, he has a good trajectory, line and is able to turn the ball.
Evan Askew
Guest
A bit harsh on Ashley Mallet too. Between Benaud and Warne he was our best spinner. 129 wickets at 29 is not to be sneezed at. Though admittedly he played in a time when there were still some wickets that gave great asistance to spinners. The oval in 1968, the fusarium pitch at Leeds in 1972, the Adelaide oval deck in 1974/75 and the pitch at Sydney in 1979/80 spring to mind.
jamesb
Guest
Lyon hasn't had the best of starts to the shield season for the redbacks, but when he plays for Australia, he will be surrounded by quality fast bowlers, and a very capable captain in Clarke.
ak
Guest
Nathan Lyon with 42 wickets at an average of 27.83 has had an axceptional start to his Test career. If a player comes up with that kind of a performance in the early part of his career it means that he does have something in him. Also he cannot be compared with Warne who was a legend and arguably the best spinner ever. Also if this is not enough, then what more can a newcomer do to?
Mick H
Roar Rookie
I think the spinners after Warne suffered alot from Ponting's poor captaincy, field placements were wrong and he was expecting that spinner to change the game like Warne or break THAT partnership, which rarely happened while the opposition spanked the ball around all day without threat, only their errors causing them to lose their wicket. Now Clarke has got the reins I feel he understands the new type of spinner in the team, as he has also bowled a few handy overs, furthermore Clarke is creative with ideas and field placements, rightly or wrongly, however this allows the new spinner freedom to try what he thinks is best rather catering to his captain's wishes. Lyon is the future, but Krezja took 12-13 wickets on his debut (correct me if I'm wrong) and was dropped after being placed at the WACA ?! What did they think an offie was going to do at the WACA ?! Selectors really need a blowtorch applied to them so such stupid decisions are not repeated. Anyway, leave Lyon, gives the ball loop and has great bounce plus gets a nice angle, hopefully Mushtaq or whoever is the spin coach now works on variation, if only to play with the batsmen minds. Geez, is it cricket season yet ? Hahaha love it !
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Yeah, yeah.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
I'll give you Grimmett, but it doesnt really change the point. You dont swap out the wicket keeper every two games because they arent Adam Gilchrist ...
Jason
Guest
A bit harsh on Grimmett and Trumble there...
formeropenside
Guest
Just dont call him Greg Matthews.
Don Corleone
Guest
Ideal situation for being Advanced Hair's next poster boy.
DJW
Guest
Pontings defensive fields never helped any new spinners coming in. Clarke's more attacking style will definatly help Lyon and any spinner with talent coming in. Lyon needs to get a bit more variation but I think he is a good work in progress. His demeanour is good and he just gets on with the job and doesn't talk himself up,
jameswm
Guest
I think it's because of how fast his hair is receding at age 25.
Schwever
Guest
He's done well enough. Of course he's no Warne but it's not like any of the other contenders are. Why get ird of him if he's doing well and none of the other guys have much potential to be better than him? As for the First Test- much depends on whether the selectors think Watson is alright to shoulder a bowling load - he has been recalled from India due to concerns over burnout. If he's healthy to bowl why play 4 quicks + Watson- 5 pacemen seems too much - maybe you might do that at Perth. As for Brad Haddin - I think it's over. It's sad that he missed the Windies tour due to family problems but that doesn't mean he should come back- frankly he should've been dropped before that. He's about to turn 35. He had a great little career though, ignroing the last year or two.
Dan
Guest
I would be playing him at the Gabba, offies need bounce and the Gabba can provide that, i think he'll play the first test.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Good point about Clarke. Good captaincy is vital to the success of a spinner, unless you have a freak like Warne in which case he can do it on his own
Matt F
Roar Guru
I agree 100%. Nathan Lyon's test performances have proven that he is easily the best spinner in Australia right now, and a very handy Test bowler in his own right. Any bowler who averages under 28 is doing a very good job (early days but it's a great start) and when you consider that many of his Tests have been on pitches more suited to pace than spin then it becomes even more impressive. If the pitch is green, which it could be given the strength of our fast bowling group, then by all means don't play a spinner, but if we're going to play one then Lyon is the obvious choice.
Don Corleone
Guest
Nathan Lyon is the best spinner in Australia and 42 wickets at 27.83 after 13 tests is an exceptional start. I think the problem is that because Lyon is unassuming, humble and isn't aggressive or charismatic... people under-estimate him. It's unfair to expect anyone to completely fill the shoes of Shane Warne who was a once-in-a-generation bowler.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Hey Ian did you leave out Grimmett because he's a New Zealander? I think they should stick with Lyons for a bit. In regards to the apparently abundant pace stocks, Only Siddle and Hilfy have been tested against experience batsman up for the fight ie not India 2010/11.
josh
Guest
I haven't seen Holland bowl. As an offspinner, Lyon is a change from the others; he can spin the ball. Unlike the straight-breaker leg stump bowler Hauritz is. Thankfully Clarke is not doing a Steve Waugh to him and lets him bowl it outside off, give it some loop. Cause it gets him wickets the way offspinners should.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Australian cricket has had the same problem with spinners that the West Indies had with quicks - it got so used to having the best of the best that panic set in when normality reasserted itself. Krezja, Beer, Lyon and Doherty are all middling to average slow bowlers. They are up there with Greg Matthews, Ashley Mallet, Jim Higgs and all the other Australian slow bowlers who arent Warne, MacGill, O'Reilly, Ironmonger or Mailey. Chopping and changing on them is pretty pointless, unless you want to wreck them. Just pick one, and dont expect him to be SK Warne.