Lyon has been heavily criticised for his lack of variations and bowling speed
Australia coach Mickey Arthur has voiced his support for Nathan Lyon after the off-spinner received some scathing criticisms from Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan and former Australian spinner Stuart MacGill.
Muralitharan and MacGill’s criticisms came after Australia’s 3-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Test series, where they believed that Lyon could have picked up more than seven wickets if he had worked on his variation and flight and added some unorthodox deliveries to his arsenal prior to the start of the series.
After the Test series, MacGill told Fox Sports that Lyon was bowling way too fast and straight and looked to be rushing through his overs instead of making the batsmen sweat it out by waiting and wondering what the next delivery would be.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Muralitharan pointed out that Australia did not “have the person to take wickets on a turning wicket” and added that the Sri Lankan batsmen should have targeted Lyon more during the first Test in Hobart since “nothing much [was] happening” when he bowled on a mainly pace-friendly pitch.
However, Arthur believes that Lyon is still developing as a spinner and stated that his current record of 61 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 32.16 was an outstanding start to his Test career, especially given the fact that he has not had a lot of experience playing first-class cricket.
“He’s young, he’s still finding out about his bowling,” Arthur said. “[He has] immense potential though. We’re backing Nathan because Nathan will deliver for us in the long run. Spinners only reach their peak at 28 or 29. We’ve got a 24-year-old who has got over 50 wickets [and was the] leading wicket-taker through the South African series. Nathan is doing everything right. He is working extremely hard. Nathan is a very good bowler and will be a very good bowler for Australia going forward.”
Lyon has already been tested to the limit on three separate occasions this Test summer, but the off-spinner welcomes the challenges since he believes it is the only way to learn and develop as a bowler.
“I’m learning every time I go out to bowl,” Lyon said. “There have been a couple of day five pitches but in Adelaide South Africa batted fantastically and in Hobart we got the result. There are a lot of expectations on the spinner but I’m not worried about that, I’m worried about doing the right thing for the team and working well with Pup [Michael Clarke] and all the other bowlers.
“I reckon it’s the best place to learn. You’re playing at the top of the tree and that’s the best place to learn. If you’re not learning up there I’m not sure why you’re playing. I’m really enjoying every opportunity of playing cricket for Australia and every time I walk out on the field, whether it’s with the bat or ball. I’m relishing the chance and I know in myself I’m growing as a human and with my cricket.”
In response to the criticisms about his bowling speed, Lyon noted that he was in constant contact with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and Clarke, who stands at slip, about how fast and what type of deliveries the batsman on strike would find the hardest to play.
“I’m talking to Michael Clarke and Matt Wade after every over about my pace,” he said. “They’re my guides. I’m not really fazed about what people are coming out and saying. We’re out there in the middle, we know what pace we have to bowl on that pitch. It’s easy sitting at home. I’m communicating with Pup and Wadey every over about my pace. I’ve got a pretty good guide there with one of the best players in the world, Michael Clarke, and the Australian keeper.”