Nathan Lyon has taken four wickets at an average of 130 from his four first-class matches this summer; he should be replaced by a fourth pace bowler if the pitch for tomorrow’s day-night Test at Adelaide is close to being as juicy as it was last year.
In the inaugural pink-ball Test at Adelaide last December Lyon made a handy contribution, snaring 3-78 and cracking a crucial 34 with the bat in the first dig.
At that time however, Lyon was in fantastic form coming off arguably the best series of his career, the 2015 Ashes.
Right now he is mired in a deep trough. This current series against South Africa has been comfortably the worst of his career, in a statistical sense. Not only has he had minimal penetration, with collective figures of 2-241, but he’s leaked runs consistently, giving up almost four runs per over.
Lyon’s economy rate is particularly worrying compared to the 2.47 runs per over figure of rookie Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj.
Captain Steve Smith appears to have lost confidence in his off spinner. It seems the only reason Lyon was even picked in the Australian squad for tomorrow’s Test is because of Steve O’Keefe’s calf problem, the latter having outbowled Lyon regularly when playing for Australia or New South Wales in the past 12 months.
But just because Lyon is in the squad doesn’t mean he should be an automatic selection at Adelaide. Gun new-ball pair Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are locks for this match. Australia also have a couple of support quicks perfectly suited to a seaming deck in Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers.
If the Adelaide surface is as moist as it’s expected to be, Bird and Sayers would both be more effective than Lyon considering his dismal form.
Bird was unlucky to miss out on selection in the second Test at Hobart, with South Australian seamer Joe Mennie making his debut.
The Tasmanian has been impressive in his five-Test career, grabbing 21 wickets at an average of 25. Furthermore, Bird is accustomed to the kind of conditions expected at Adelaide, having made a name for himself running through Sheffield Shield batting line-ups on what were green, seaming decks at Bellerive Oval back in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
Like South African quicks Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott, who destroyed Australia at Hobart, Bird’s method is simple – aim for the top of off stump and try to get the ball to wobble through the air or off the seam. In this manner, he is similar to Sayers who, along with Bird, is among the most accurate bowlers in Australian cricket.
Bird and Sayers are not so similar so as to offer a lack of variety though. At 195cm tall and owning a high arm action, Bird can get the ball to rear off the pitch like Hazlewood and Starc. Sayers, meanwhile, is just 180cm tall and his deliveries skid through, a bit like Philander, who is even shorter than the South Australian.
Sayers is slower through the air than Bird – operating mainly in the 125-130kmh range – but possesses the rare ability to swing the ball both ways. Of current Test cricketers, only England’s James Anderson has shown the talent to achieve this consistently.
If he debuts at Adelaide, Sayers will be the most skilful swing bowler to play for Australia since Damien Fleming. Having dominated the Shield over the past four seasons, it would be just reward.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
The pitch is drier than Hobart and we didn't play four quicks there. No chance Lyon wouldn't play today.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
So, its Smith's fault that Lyon is bowling crap and can neither (a) put pressure on a batsman and take wickets or (b) bowl tight from one end while the quicks rotate in short spells from the other end. Seems the ignorant have fallen for this GOAT nonsense.
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
Well Ronan we'll need to agree to disagree on this one. By "just" having a spinner to tie up one end while the seamers do the work means that your attack takes on the feeling of being one dimensional ... blast 'em out with seam and bounce! While that's great when it works (and when conditions are favourable) it means there's no Plan B. Or in other words we basically just accept that the current line up is incapable of being competitive in Asia. My view is that a spinner should serve as an "attacking bowler" in their own right, not just a defensive one. As an aside, and by way of contrast, I'd much rather focus our attention on building quality spin bowling stocks rather than the recent fascination with all rounders. At least this particular fascination seems to have been suspended for Adelaide!
Matthew H
Guest
I totally agree with you Ronan. Surely the selectors must have agonised over this one, with Lyon somehow getting the nod.
bearfax
Guest
Truly great bowler was McGrath, Jamesb. I consider McGrath and Lillee as the two best fast bowlers I've seen bowling for Australia. Amazing control and showed movement of the ball is best when it is only a slight variation, along with slight variations of pace and accuracy..just enough to nick the edge of the bat or cause mistiming. That's why I think highly of O'Keefe. Like McGrath, though obviously as a spin bowler, he uses slight variations of flight, movement and pace and maintains an accurate line
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
So it seems the selectors have played it safe again. Damn it! No Sayers, no four-pronged pace attack. I hope it really bites them in the bum, as much as I don't want to see Oz lose...
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
That hardly matters, jamesb. They've played almost the same number of Tests, so they have the same International experience. Of course, Swann had had more time to work on his game in County cricket, but I still say the comparison between the two is valid. I have nothing against Lyon, he has been very capable and reliable. Unfortunately, as a consequence to this, they haven't really looked to develop other spinners who could perhaps be more than just 'serviceable'... I maintain that it is a travesty that SOK has not been given an extended run like Lyon. The weight of his numbers demanded it, yet the selectors continually ignored it. I think SOK needs a minimum 10 Test run, let's give the bloke a chance.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
It appears you are correct in your summation of the selectors, L5x.
Simoc
Guest
The main problem with Ronans articles is that he appears to understand very little of what he is seeing in cricket and relies so much on statistics eg history. But all the experts , including S O'Keefe, reckon Lyon has been bowling well. Ronan says the stats don't add up so drop him. That is the difference between knowledge and ignorance. But Bird got the gig I see.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Geez. After 59 tests, even a half decent spinner would have more than one for you to find.
Aransan
Guest
Smith may have more problems with his captaincy than just Lyon. On ability he should be one of the world's leading batsmen but he is not performing anywhere near that.
matth
Guest
And unfortunately for Lyon, unless this changes he will have to go, because we sure as heck can;t afford to drop Steve Smith so that Nathan feels better.
matth
Guest
Yardley's run up and moustache were so mesmerising I can't remember if he was any good. Mallet was very good. Tim May was ok but of course he only had to be a support bowler to Warne on occasion.
Drew
Roar Rookie
Would love to see them go with the 4 quicks. This would allow Starc to bowl in short bursts while letting the other 3 quicks keep it tight and work the batsmen over. Smith and Maddinson to bowl a few overs when some variety is needed (this is where it would have been great to have Maxwell at 6) as well as get through the overs. Lyon is a solid spinner and could obviously do a job but it would be best for him to go back to the Shield and get some overs under his belt. As mentioned, he is rarely a matchwinner and at present, he is leaking runs. Furthermore, he offers nothing with the bat. Looks like a bloke who should ave 20 yet gets out to loose shots more often than not. He needs games out of the spotlight (when is O'Keefe fit?) before the Indian series.
Basil
Guest
I don't think I've changed my tune. I find it interesting that you think you know my thoughts better than I do.
Brasstacks
Guest
While there is no denying the fact that the stats are not in favor of Lyon at the moment, what also cannot b denied is Steve Smith's large contribution towards the same. He has mishandled Lyon and clearly does not seem to have any confidence in the off spinner. We outside the team and gauge this, so surely Lyon knows this as well.
armchair expert
Guest
Lyon may be Australia's highest test wicket taking off spinner but that doesn't mean he's the best ever, in my opinion both Yardley and Mallet were both better than him.
jamesb
Guest
The quicks can get a good rest when Australia bats and puts a decent score on the board for a change.
Lancey5times
Guest
I love how everyone says that you need to play a spinner so that the quicks can get some rest. Can a quick only get a quick bit of rest when a spinner is bowling a quick few overs or can a quick quickly rest when a fellow quick is bowling quick? It's worth a quick thought......
Aransan
Guest
Spin bowling is incredibly mentally challenging. I don't believe Lyon has the support of Smith and because of that I would drop him from the side. Lyon has always had his detractors and there are a number who have just been waiting to pounce when his stats didn't quite add up. We had a revolving door of spinners before Lyon and my prediction is that we will be going back to the revolving door. Without Smith's support Australia would be better choosing another medium fast bowler for the next test.