Offie Nathan Lyon moved past legendary leggie Richie Benaud in the wicket-taking stakes as the Australians fought back into contention in the first Test against Bangladesh.
Lyon’s match figures of 9-161 off 64.3 overs has given the Australians a gettable 256 to win, when it looked as though Bangladesh was going to set an impossible target on a minefield pitch.
In the process Lyon slipped past Benaud’s Test career 248 wickets to become Australia’s second highest wicket-taking spinner in history, behind Shane Warne.
In chronological order, Benaud’s 248 scalps averaged 27.63 from 63 Tests, which translated to 3.94 wickets a Test, or 2.14 wickets an innings.
Warne’s massive 708 wickets from 145 Tests averaged 25.41 or 4,88 a Test, and 3.17 an innings.
Lyon is playing his 68th Test for his 256 wickets at an average of 32.85 – that’s 3.76 wickets a Test, or 1.97 an innings.
Pretty impressive figures for a man who has been ‘dropped’ so many times by pundits and fans, he must be dizzy at the speed of it all.
But Lyon is a fighter, and thanks to him a win is possible, albeit very difficult.
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Three isn’t a time problem with 720 minutes of play left and only 156 runs to get, but that will depend on captain Steve Smith and his deputy expanding their current 81-run stand by at least a 100.
Both dodged early bullets yesterday, Warner on 14 at slip, he resumes today on 75, and Smith avoided being stumped by the barest of margins and being dropped before he got to three. Today, the skipper will start 25 not out.
It’s a fact great teams make their own luck and the same applies to batsmen.
Australia will be 2-109 when the fourth day is open for business and with Peter Handscomb the only other reliable batsman to come, this had better be left to the executive.
Having said that, Ashton Agar and Pat Cummins showed in the first dig they have more ticker and application than Glenn Maxwell or Matt Wade.
Nice to see Agar back in baggy green. In his debut four years ago, as a 19-year-old at Trent Bridge, he cracked 98 off 106 on debut to set a new record for a No.11.
He’s a very capable all-rounder, and with Cummins getting back to his fiery fast-bowling best, both look good for the Ashes this summer.
In the meantime, Steve Smith and David Warner have a major role to play on a wicket that will spring many unwanted surprises. May one of them be a win against the odds.
AREH
Roar Guru
Yep spot on, got to give Lyon a lot of credit for his improvement in the sub-continent. After his first ever series in Sri Lanka in 2011 there were a few sub-par performances, however India and now here in Bang highlight just how much he has learnt, I take my hat off to him.
DavSA
Guest
Yes David he does deserve more respect . His problem however is the same that any Aussie spinner now or in the future will have and that is they will always be compared to that man Shane Warne.
AGordon
Guest
I wonder how much of that is down to Australia's love affair with "bowling partnerships"? You know, two guys bowling line and length, drying up the runs and waiting for a mistake. This is how the sub-continent spinners do it. The only way Lyon was ever going to contribute in this sort of system, especially in Australia, was by bowling darts into middle & leg. He's now maturing as a bowler and he and his captain have more confidence in his ability to take wickets, so I think he's been given more latitude with how he bowls, field placements, giving away a few runs to get a wicket, etc. He'll never take "a bag" in Australia, unless it's on the SCG, but is still great value to get wickets just about anywhere.
Rob JM
Guest
Thats what I'm trying to say, hes slowly been improving the whole time but it looked like he wasn't because a new inexperienced captain didn't utilize him well.
matth
Guest
Agreed, Maxwell's contribution was pretty good. No mention of Khawaja?
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
I think it is wrong to say that Lyon hasn't improved. His performances in India and Bangladesh proves that he has improved a lot from his previous tours to the subcontinent. He is just 29 and has just entered the prime years for a spinner. I will be surprised if he does not end up with at least 400 test wickets.
Rob JM
Guest
One of the criticisms of Lyon is that he hadn't shown much improvement and thus he was not living up to his potential. I'm starting to think this was more to do with the change of captaincy than anything else. Still he is a couple of steps behind swan who admittedly started with a lot more experience than lyon.
jameswm
Roar Guru
His record is better overseas because he's from Australia. Look how Swann, Murali and Harbhajan have gone in Australia - averaging 50-70 each, from memory. Easier to have a better home record as a finger spinner if you're from India.
Mike Dugg
Guest
If only he would slow it down more often and not bowl at their pads quite as much. If he did he'd have as good a average as Swann
Liam
Guest
It's situations like this that make me question what I think; I agree that Nathan Lyon is underrated, and could definitely receive more respect, but agreeing with you, David, is an uncomfortable thing. Still, credit where it's due. At least you - unlike some - don't think Australia should insert a leggie just because they're a leggie.
AGordon
Guest
I think if Lyon had bowled in the years before Warne and not in comparison to him, fans might remember him more kindly. He is a world class spinner who has had massive expectations placed on him because of Warne's ability to bowl sides out - he's expected to do the same, which is a huge ask for a finger spinner, especially in Australia As another writer pointed out a few days ago, his record overseas is way better than his record at home, which puts him ahead of guys like Herath, Ashwin, etc, who are stars in Sri Lanka and India, but struggle elsewhere. I hope Giri is right and Lyon gets 400 plus wickets. Hopefully his doubters might change their minds
Matthew H
Guest
If Lyon develops a really good straight one he will be awesome to watch. So glad he slowed his speed down and allowed drift and spin which are his biggest assets. Huge return for him in this test match and if Aus win I think they need to tip their hats to him.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Geez unnecessary swipe at Maxwell and Wade. Both misjudged balls but there was no lack of "ticker" or "application". Cummins and Agar had their moments earlier too.
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
Also his performances in India and now Bangladesh has proven that he has learnt the art of bowling in the subcontinent. This augurs well for Australia in the future tours to those parts of the world.
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
Nathan Lyon is a very good spinner and has done very well for the Aussies over the last few years. People easily forget the contributions of him after Australia were struggling to find a decent spinner post Shane Warne's retirement. Lyon will end up as a legendary cricketer for Australia will at least 400 test wickets as age is on his side.