Lyon embraces Asian challenge

On a tense opening day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Australia in Chittagong the visitors were given a foothold in the match by spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon moved to seventh on Australia’s all-time Test wicket-takers list with figures of 5/77 as Bangladesh reached 253/6 by stumps.
The tweaker feels that they key to bowling well in Asia is having confidence and admits to studying India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for some tips on how to achieve success on the Subcontinent.
Lyon told a press conference in Chittagong: “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 watched a lot of footage of Ashwin, who in my book is probably the No. 1 spinner in the world. 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.”
Australia fielded three frontline spinners for the first time in 11 years but were surprised to find the pitch not as responsive to turn as they anticipated.
Lyon added: “I think the wicket’s going to deteriorate, yeah for sure, but I think I might have spun one ball out of 28 overs today.
“There’s not much spin there at the moment so it’s a good challenge for us spinners to challenge the batters and challenge their defence on a wicket like this. But subcontinent wickets around the world spin when the game goes on so I’ve got no doubt that this one will.”
Bangladesh rallied well after Lyon’s early success leaving the game hanging in the balance.
Lyon went on: “It’s pretty even.
“They played well. Sabbir and the skipper, they batted really well, they took the game on, they played some brave cricket.
“You’ve got to give credit where credit’s due. They played some good shots. But at the end of the day I was pretty proud of our bowlers’ efforts to go out there and keep fighting all the way through to the 90th over.
“As I said before, that was the hardest conditions I’ve ever had. The wicket’s not really doing much, there’s not much spin, there’s no bounce. So to challenge the Bangladesh batters as much as we could, I thought it was a pretty good day to be honest.”
Latest
-
News
Jack Leach enjoying life in ‘extremely positive’ England set-up
Leach’s first 10-wicket Test match haul and half-centuries from Ollie Pope and Joe Root have left England on course for a 3-0 series win.
-
News
Hashim Amla and Ben Geddes hit hundreds as Surrey take control against Kent
The pair produced a third-wicket stand of 213 after the hosts were asked to bat.
-
News
England on course for New Zealand series whitewash after Jack Leach career-best
Spinner Leach took 10 wickets in a Test match for the first time.
-
News
New-look England set for ‘exciting time’ as they gear up for South Africa Test
The absence of Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole has opened the door for new faces to make their mark.
-
News
England set 296 for series sweep as Jack Leach claims first 10-wicket Test haul
Leach finished with second-innings figures of five for 66 as New Zealand were bowled out for 326.
-
England
England thwarted by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell again at Headingley
England drew a blank over the course of two difficult hours on Sunday.
-
News
Ben Foakes replaced by Sam Billings at Headingley after positive Covid-19 test
Foakes did not take the field on the third afternoon against New Zealand after complaining of back pain.
-
England
Jamie Overton happy to entertain on rollercoaster England Test debut
The pace bowler fell three runs short of a remarkable century at Headingley.
-
England
England have Headingley buzzing again as late burst rocks New Zealand
The tourists will resume on Sunday 137 runs ahead with five wickets down.
-
England
Jamie Overton falls just short of debut century for England in tight third Test
Overton was caught behind for 97 in the morning session.