Australia's assistant coach, Daniel Vettori, heaped rich praise on Nathan Lyon and said that the veteran spinner’s ability to combine spin with bounce makes him lethal on the turning pitches, especially in sub-continent conditions.
The 34-year-old Lyon finished the first Test with impressive figures of 9/121 against Sri Lanka in Galle, as Australia won the first Test by 10 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
He also moved into the top 10 leading wicket-takers of all time in Test cricket list, with 436 wickets in 109 Tests.
Daniel Vettori told reporters: “It's a tactical conversation. Nathan has seen everything in world cricket. To be a finger spinner and be in the top 10 wicket-takers in the world is incredible. Albeit the majority of the time, it is down to his skill level. The ability to be successful with that much turn and bounce.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan batters struggled a lot in the first Test in Galle despite playing in the home conditions, and Vettori explained how it was challenging to play for the hosts against Lyon.
He said, “Batters who sweep are always very difficult to bowl to. They ask different questions about you as a bowler. That is where Nathan is so successful. He is consistent and he gets so much spin and bounce that we all know they sweep is a good option but it is a challenge against someone of his quality.”
Vettori signed off by saying, “His stock ball is so amazing, sometimes for him that is good enough. But for his development, he is looking to bring variations in. Different balls, over and around the wicket. He is very receptive to all information.”
(With AFP Inputs)
