Nathan Lyon believes ongoing Chittagong Test is most physically taxing

One bowler, Australia can rely on the rank turners in sub continental conditions is Nathan Lyon. He was Smith’s go-to bowler in the 4-Test series against India last winter and that hasn’t changed one bit against Bangladesh. Lyon, in the ongoing second Test in Chittagong, grabbed his second successive 5-wicket haul to keep Bangladesh to 263 for 6 at the end of the first day of the final Test match. The tall off-spinner, after recording figures for 5 for 77 from 28 overs, said that the opening day has been his most physically taxing day of cricket for Australia.

11th five-wicket haul for Lyon

Lyon has 123 wickets in Asia from 30 Tests at an average of 35.82. He also has eight 5-fors and a 10-for in sub continental conditions. Before the commencement of the series, a few words were exchanged between the Bangladeshis and the Aussies. Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal said with conviction that their team had it in them to whitewash the Aussies and would continue adding to their miserable record in Asia.

“That’s up there with the hardest Test match cricket days I’ve ever had,” he said after Day One. “This would be my 69th Test match and I don’t think I’ve been tested like that physically. The pitch was pretty good, to be fair, there’s not much spin there at all. I think I bowled four straight ones early and all hit the pads. [The heat] is just one of those things. This is why we do pre-season. You want to test yourself in the hardest conditions and see how you react,” Lyon said while interacting with the media.

Sabbir reminds me of Kohli

He was all praises for Sabbir Rahman, he was so impressed with the youngster that compared him with Indian skipper Virat Kohli. “He’s a good player. He reminds me of Virat Kohli. He’s probably a pretty good role model to have in the subcontinent. But that’s only on his person out there and the way he walks around the crease and the shots he’s played here. We find he doesn’t really want to defend, he wants to taker the game on and that’s brave cricket,” the offie said.

Dominant in Asia 

In the Dhaka Test too, he lived up to his reputation and registered brilliant match figures of 9/161 though Australia ended up losing the game. Not letting the pressure from the loss of the previous match translate into the ongoing Chittagong Test, instead ripping through the opposition’s top order shows Lyon’s dominance in this part of the world.

“I think it’s a lot to do with confidence. This is probably my sixth tour in the subcontinent area so I think leading an attack where I’ve played the most games, lead the wicket column with the bowling group, I’ve put enough pressure on myself to go out there and perform well. I’ve done a lot of work with Sri [Sridharan Sreeram] here, but also John Davison at home. Before this tour I was flying up to Brissy [Brisbane] just to go work with Davo, just to really find a way about what works in the subcontinent. I’ve watched a lot of footage of Ashwin, who in my book is probably the No. 1 spinner in the world,” Lyon explained.

The 29-year old spoke about the technical changes he had to make to be effective in Asian conditions.He has relished bowling in these conditions and takes pride in helping his teammates out.

“So in these conditions it’s all about adapting and learning and probably putting your ego aside, and what works for me in Australia probably doesn’t really work here in the subcontinent. Saying that it’s also my strength as well, so I can’t go too far from that, I have to put my ego away and really bowl with confidence, in my terms ‘bowl ugly.’ That might be round-arm for me, trying to undercut the ball a little bit more but using my stock ball as a variation. I think I’ve learnt a lot in the subcontinent and I’m embracing the challenge, and that’s one of the best things, you’ve got to want it, you want to go out there and do well for your mates walking out there, but the whole Australian public at home, so it’s a good challenge, and I love it, “ Lyon concluded.