'Get the protractor out for that one' - Nathan Lyon's ball turns outrageously in MCG Test

The ongoing second Test between Australia and India at the MCG is interestingly poised at the moment. After bundling out the hosts for a paltry total of 195 runs, India have batted patiently to stay ahead in the game. However, they have to thank their bowlers who bowled exceptionally well on the opening day after losing the toss on which was supposed to be a flat pitch.

While Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj bowled exceptionally well, what surprised many was the amount of turn the off-spinner Ravi Ashwin extracted, especially in the first session. He picked three in the first innings out of which, two came in the opening session of the day. Accordingly, even the Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon was expected to well and he didn’t disappoint.

Rather the Indian batsmen played him well not allowing him to dominate. However, that didn’t stop Lyon from extracting turn from the surface. One of his deliveries turned outrageously in the second session of the second day of the Test and beat everyone including the wicket-keeper Tim Paine. The ball pitched in the off-stump line and turned a lot down the leg-side as Australia conceded four byes.

Here’s the video:

Nathan Lyon didn’t bowl much in the first session

Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon was surprisingly not introduced into the attack early on the second day by Tim Paine. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins found a lot of movement in the first hour with the latter dismissing both overnight batsmen Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Cameron Green then bowled from one end who kept it tight but didn’t get a breakthrough for his team. Nathan Lyon was only introduced 10-12 minutes before lunch and then bowled consistently through the second session and the rest of the day. The off-spinner only picked up a wicket of Hanuma Vihari after delivering 17 overs conceding 51 runs.

India, having taken a crucial lead, will now be looking to bat as long as they can and put pressure on Australia. This is a golden chance for the visitors to make a comeback in the series.