After a 2014 yielding of just 14 wickets at an average of 61.5 it would surprise no one if Nathan Lyon’s name were missing from Australia’s first Test team to play India in Brisbane.
A further nail in the off-spinner’s coffin is the tried and trusted blueprint to beat India in Australian conditions. One centring on a battery of fast bowlers serving up real chin music on tailor made fast and bouncy pitches.
It is a foolproof strategy when you take into account the struggles of Indian batsmen throughout their history when faced by this assault in these confines.
Faced by this inevitable prospect it is hard to be enthused by India’s batting prospects. Attaching further doubt is that of the 19-man squad announced only five have experience in Australian conditions.
Significantly, wicketkeeper MS Dhoni and paceman Ishant Sharma contribute 14 of the 21 Tests that the entire squad has played in Australia.
Roll out an all pace attack to welcome India’s batsmen to Australia, right?
The temptation is hard to resist, but, if Australia takes that path it imbalances the team. With all-rounders Shane Watson and Mitch Marsh near certain to be in the top six, both capable of bowling in excess of 140 kilometres, it would leave Australia with six pace options, and only the part-time spin of Steve Smith to turn to for a bit of variety.
A more compelling reason for the inclusion of Lyon, is that the myth of Indian batsmen being the masters against any spin bowling has been reduced to a cliché in recent times. The cracks first started to appear in the 2012-13 home series loss against England, where the spin duo of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar destroyed the Indian batsmen.
Their combined return of 37 wickets at an average of 25.07 was startling when you considered that their previous visits to India had yielded 19 wickets at an average of 49. More alarming was the part-time off spin of England’s Moeen Ali with a first-class record of 168 wickets at 38.97 reducing India to rubble with 19 wickets at 23 in England this year.
It points to obvious frailty in the current Indian batting against spin, and the need for Australia to arm itself to exploit this.
Australian fans will question Lyon after a forgettable 2014, culminating in being flayed all around the UAE by Pakistani batsmen in conditions tailor-made for spin.
But with the Ashes on our horizon the key to success is a continuation in the team, rather than constant chopping and changing. If there was a better spin option on the outskirts it would give reason to change, but, Lyon is the best of Australia’s current spinners.
One forgets that at 26, he is still a virtual babe in spin terms. And while his limp efforts against Pakistan were unacceptable, they can be excused because he hasn’t yet had time to hone his skill to a level needed to assume the spearheading role expected of him.
He will not have the same burden against India, with the touring batsmen main focus being on the high-class Australian pace corps, and avoiding obliteration, as well as hospitalisation. The domino effect will be the Indian batsmen viewing him as an escape valve, and the weak link in the attack to plunder.
Lyon will revel in the likely contempt that the batsmen will have for him while being supported and shielded by the pressure that the excellent quicks will exert.
Factor in the current Indian batsmen lacking the controlled aggression that symbolised the mastery of spin from their forefathers, and one can see Lyon being an unexpected weapon.
VivGilchrist
Guest
What has SOK done to you? I have never read such hate toward a player who is knocking down the door for selection?
VivGilchrist
Guest
Very aggressive now aren't we? For the sake of. Lyons career he needs to go back to the Shield and start performing.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
"Who else is gonna fill the spinner's role?" -- nobody. There is no law that requires a spinner, and if Lyon has one major flaw, it is his inability to finish off a team that is on the ropes. Nobody else has come up to the required standard. If Stuart MacGill couldn't get a bowl in the team, when he was a better wicket-taking bowler than some of the fast mediums, then an offspinner whose average is 61.5 -- when you include his good returns -- shouldn't even be discussed. If your best bowlers are pace bowlers use them. Clarke and the other batsmen are perfectly capable of sending down a few tight overs of spin, and will probably have a better return than 61.5 runs per wicket. Lyon needs to go back to Sheffield Shield and rebuild his game, or admit that he has not got the necessaries.
twodogs
Guest
I would pick SOK ahead of Gaz anyday. Notwithstanding the differences in their actions and results or that many think SOK's a better bowler. SOK has verve and mongrel. Lyon does not. Personally I'd love to see any leggie chucked in immediately Boyce, Zampa or Muirhead. The time is right. This is not a super strong Indian team.
Quitwhinging
Guest
Lyon has over 100 test wickets, not helping your case, just because wonder-boy O;Keefe won't be picked
Armchair Expert
Guest
So "part timer" Moeen Ali has 168 1st class wickets @38.97, Lyon has 179 1st class wickets @39.87, interesting.
Shortfineleg
Guest
There is a whole circus of clowns here. 1. I did used to post as Peter. I changed it as another Peter appeared. Which I explained in a post here when I made the change. That is how DF knows. 2. Comparing overall test wickets between O'Keefe and Lyon is of course nonsense. Selection is at the fiat of the selectors. In the one test they played together O'Keefe outbowled Lyon, got double his wickets. Like when they bowl in FC matches together. Like their comparative FC records.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Agree Gav, and , it is in Lyon's hands, as well as O'Keefes to a certain degree If Lyon struggles once more, and SOK dominates, well he should get in
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Gotta say the mods (Patrick) did a stellar job clearing that up.
Don Freo
Guest
Count the dropped catches.
Nudge
Guest
Haha yep felt for ya then
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Don picked it up first somehow. At least we know good Peter's comments when we see them now. Almost had Tom from Macksville round 2 haha.
Nudge
Guest
Are, got you Tom, old slag off mouth peter has come back as SFL. Well picked up mate
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Of course bad Peter (shortfineleg) is a SOK cultist.
Nudge
Guest
Couldn't be bothered clicking onto that link pal, because only one stat matters Test wickets Lyon 115 Test wickets Sok 4 Stick that one in your pipe and smoke it
Shortfineleg
Guest
Whining, you prove my characterisation. Read my previous post. Compare. Averages. In. Same. Competition. Chalk. Cheese. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LQftYK2n8o
Quitwhinging
Guest
Flat Adelaide deck? they'd both be walk up starters
Shortfineleg
Guest
Fudgy, don't be so hard on yourself.
Quitwhinging
Guest
Shortfineleg, how am I a clown? care to explain?? O'Keefe doesn't spin or get alarming bounce neither does Doherty the difference is O'Keefe has accuracy something Doherty lacks.
Quitwhinging
Guest
Armchair expert, If O'Keefe had taken 115 odd wickets I'd be willing to give him a bit of break since he's proven he can take wickets, but alas thats not whats happening its Lyon who is under pressure. O'Keefe wouldn't do any better anyway. He won't be picked so this debate has no merit