I just saw the article about Fawad Ahmed’s immigration status, I went through the comment section and it’s safe to say Nathan Lyon isn’t rated much among fans.
Most of them are keen to have Ahmed replace Lyon in the upcoming Ashes series.
Most of them constantly trash the selectors for picking Lyon. However, my simple question to them would be who else?
While questioning Lyon’s selection why does no one mention his possible replacement from our Shield sides?
Let’s look at spinners we have in the Shield: Nathan Hauritz , Steve O’Keefe, Jason Krejza , Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar.
Hauritz has been off the screen since that injury he suffered just before the World Cup. His form this season has been poor.
O’Keefe has been very unlucky to have missed out. He should have gone to India with Lyon. His situation is pretty much similar to Khawaja’s.
Krejza had an awful season. The only notable performance of Krejza would be his ton against NSW, before he lost his Tasmania contract.
To be fair with Zampa and Agar it’s better not to write them up. MacGill is working with them and it’s safe to say they are in good hands.
Coming to Lyon-Fawad issue, Ahmed as we all know is awaiting his passport to be eligible for selection. From what I read he seems to be ahead of lyon in the selectors mind.
Fawad’s numbers in Pakistan Domestic Cricket were pretty similar to Lyon’s. Considering the friendly conditions in Pakistan he should have been averaging in 20s to have been as special as the people claim.
His notable Shield performance was a 5-fer against Khawaja-less Queensland.
He has a lot more to prove in my opinion.
Lyon surely has been Australia’s No.1 spinner since Warne.
The lack of faith people have in him isn’t helping his cause. Was dropped from the second Test against India only to be replaced by Maxwell which was a joke.
If not for Wade’s keeping, Lyon would have had few more wickets.
Since his debut Lyon is sixth on the list of wicket takers in the world above Peter Siddle. He has picked the most wickets in three of the last four series.
Lyon can spin the ball and can bowl a tight spell as per the needs.
Yes he may not be Swann or Ajmal but he is learning and getting better.
Fawad shouldn’t be fast tracked and should get a spot on the basis of a strong Shield performance as it will only destroy Lyon’s confidence who needs that sense of security about his spot.
Aakash bhat
Guest
Dont think that lyon will be in the playing 11 in any test except lords....
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Lyon bowled well in the 4th test but it should have prospered more in the conditions. The Indian spinners where loving the dustbowls but Lyon wasn't.
Lancey5times
Guest
And another key factor in Lyon's slow decline is that Michael Clarke (and I assume Mikey) won't let him throw the ball up. He was doing this at the start of his career. Now he bowls like Doherty. They are setting a top quality spinner up to fail. Give him a chance
Stu
Guest
Spot on. Warne was a game changer. Anyone trying to fill the spinners' slot vacated by him was on a hiding to nothing.
Jayden
Roar Rookie
I don't see a single comment in the article... Still, Lyon's decent, had no complaints about him so far.
Ahmed
Roar Rookie
Field ? What wrong has lyon done in the field ? If you watch his spells in India and draft out a timeline you will realize he slowed it down and bowled from closer to the stumps and bagged a 9-fer. Fawad might be good but the fact remains that he has absolutely no experience at International Level.
Ahmed
Roar Rookie
Yes the 4th innings performance is a worry the only time i remember him doing well in fourth innings is at WACA vs India. In India he absolutely had no chance thanks to lack of runs from our bats. Lyon was picked due to the control he had and was a good thing to do rather than going with averages. People have to realize that there won't be no 2nd warne.
Ahmed
Roar Rookie
Agreed mate , But if you look at all his spells in Sri Lanka and India , lyon was turning the ball and in the 4th test where he picked 9 wickets he slowed it down. I have watched Fawad in shield this year , too many half trackers , wasn't turning it much. And we forgot the stumping chance wade missed off him in the 1st test , would have had dhoni < 100 .
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
because he is a seamer not a spinner. We are constantly told he is developing but he keeps making the same mistakes. Going through overs too fast, not using the crease effectively, bowing too fast etc. People have pointed that out to Lyon and he hasn't learnt. As said above when it matters Nathan has trouble performing. In dead rubbers like India or drawn matches is the only time he gets wickets. O'Keefe and Ahmed for me. Couldn't be any worse than Lyon. Plus Steve can actually bat and field
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Its one that puzzles me as well. Being from SA he's not a media favourite, that probably p[lays into it a bit along with the fact that he tends to keep quiet and try to do his job. He isn't out there promoting himself in the manner of Watson, Warner or Cowan (at least Ed does so intellegently). No doubt the lack of media support feeds into a lack of public support. He isn't a great match winner, but he is reliable and usually does a job. Unfortunately, that is about all we can expect from any spinner (or batsman) at present; and more than can be expected of keepers, one of whom has very nearly cost Lyon his Test career.
Don Corleone
Guest
I'm a fan of Lyon's, it was fantastic to see his successful test debut in Sri Lanka a few years ago but I feel sorry for the guy. These are the things I feel have gone against him:- -The weight of expectation as he is the best spinner we've had since Shane Warne. We have to remember what our expectations of spinners where pre-Shane Warne. -He's an offie, not a leggy. The cricket public is obsessed with leg spin and the search for the 'next big thing'. -While he's an offie, but he's not a 'mystery' spinner. No carrom balls, no doosra. -He is being coached by a Steve Rixon who is wicketkeeper and fielding coach. -He's not flashy, lacks X-factor and marketing potential and is quiet, humble and understated.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Wadey didn't do him any favours.
Mitcher
Guest
Lyon has pretty decent figures but I think the big problem has been that when needed to bowl out sides to win a test match in the fourth innings, he has come up short. That said I believe the selectors have been right to stick with him considering the lack of available options. Much of the criticism I feel is from people with unrealistic expectations of our spinners. Equally, some of the spinners who came before him had potential but were completely burned by reactionary selectors. Lyon was lucky that he got his chance when the selectors realised they were destroying a generation of spin prospects.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Ahmed has the advantage of spinning it away from right handers. Bowlers that do that tend to trouble batsman more. Also Ahmed turns it, something Lyon only rarely does.