In his distinguished Test career spanning over a decade, Australian veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has faced off against some of cricket's greatest batters. As Australia gears up for the Sydney Pink Test against Pakistan, commencing on January 3, with an aim for a series whitewash, Lyon shared insights into the best batters he has encountered and the strategies he employed against them.
Lyon, who recently made a return to Australia's red-ball cricket in the ongoing three-Test series, spoke on the Sydney Cricket Ground's social media platform about his experiences. Though initially asked to single out one top player, Lyon, acknowledging the plethora of talent he has competed against, named three cricketing legends: Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and AB de Villiers.
"The best player I have played against, that's a very hard question. I have played against some of the greats of the game. I will give you three (names), they will be Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and AB de Villiers," Lyon said.
"The secret to get them out, something that I struggle to do would be trying to challenge their defence for a long period of time," he added.
The off-spinner has had a notable record against these batting giants. He revealed that the key to dismissing such high-caliber players lies in consistently challenging their defense over extended periods. His approach has yielded significant success; Lyon dismissed Kohli seven times in 23 Test matches involving India and Australia. His encounters with Tendulkar resulted in Lyon claiming the wicket of the legendary Indian batter four times in six Test matches between 2011 and 2013. Against AB de Villiers, he managed two dismissals in twelve matches.
Lyon's prowess in Test cricket, particularly against India, is commendable. He has taken 121 wickets in 27 Test matches against India, including his career-best figures of 8/50 in Bengaluru. His achievements extend to joining the elite 500 Test wicket club during the first Test of the series against Pakistan in Perth, making him only the fourth spinner to reach this milestone, joining the ranks of Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Anil Kumble.
Looking ahead, India is scheduled to tour Australia towards the end of 2024 for the eagerly awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This series will undoubtedly be another significant chapter in Lyon's illustrious career, as he faces off against some of the best batters in contemporary cricket. His expertise and experience will be crucial for Australia in their pursuit of maintaining dominance in Test cricket, particularly in such high-stakes series.
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