Nathan Lyon spins Australia to brink of third Test win over India

02.03.2023 - 18:35 thenationalnews.com

Nathan Lyon took a magnificent 8-64 to leave Australia with a modest victory target of 76 against India in the third Test on Thursday.

Australia, having bowled out India for 109 and 163, are closing in on victory after the Lyon masterclass that saw him take eight wickets in an innings for the second time in his career.

The 35-year-old claimed 11 of those 20 Indian wickets at Holkar Cricket Stadium in one of his finest bowling performances in a career spanning 118 Tests.

Lyon bowled 23.3 of Australia's total 60.3 overs against Indian batsmen known for their prowess against spin bowling and yet came up trumps though he developed cramp towards the end and needed medical attention to keep going.

cricket bowling win Test Pat Cummins Nathan Lyon Australia India Delhi county Lyon

India rode Virat Kohli's brilliant century and Axar Patel's equally effective supporting act to take control on Day 4 of the fourth Test match against Australia on Sunday. While the Indian batsmen looking quite comfortable against the Australia bowlers, veteran spinner Nathan Lyon was able to claim a massive milestone. With the dismissal of KS Bharat, Lyon became the highest overseas wicket-taker in Test matches on Indian soil. He currently has 55 wickets from 11 matches in India and he surpassed the record held by former England spinner Derek Underwood. Underwood had 54 wickets against India in away matches from 16 games with best figures of 5 for 84.

India vs Australia - "There's Still A Result": Nathan Lyon's Huge Prediction For Ahmedabad Test

Nathan Lyon may have got just a single wicket after sending down 30-odd overs on the day but he feels that his effort on Saturday during India's first innings was way better than his 11-wicket match haul in Indore on a track designed for spinners. India finished the third day at 289 for 3 in reply to Australia's 480 on a good batting deck. "It's more of a patient game. When the pitch is like Indore... I felt like I bowled better today than what I did in Indore. And it's just coming down to doing your basics well enough for long enough," Lyon said. For him, Tests like these are decided in the last half an hour and right now it is on even keel.

Watch: Virat Kohli's Intriguing Chat With Nathan Lyon Caught On Stump Mic, Video Goes Viral

Virat Kohli reached his first Test half-century since January 2022 during Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. On Saturday, Kohli hit an unbeaten 59 after Shubman Gill had scored his second Test ton to take India to 289/3 at stumps against Australia. However, Kohli had a nervy start to his innings as he got off the mark on the 12th ball, with Nathan Lyon putting constant pressure on him from one end.

'Nathan Lyon Has Got Years To Go...': Australia Great On Star Spinner

Nathan Lyon's longevity in international cricket has been "amazing" and the off-spinner should continue as long as he remains fit to compete at the elite level, feels former Australia batter Mike Hussey. Lyon, 35, had a quiet start to Border-Gavaskar Trophy taking only one wicket in Nagpur but has come back with a bang snapping 18 scalps from next two Test matches, including a 10-for in Australia's win in Indore.

Travis Head eases Australia to rare Test win in India

Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne held their nerve on a viciously turning Indore pitch to guide Australia to a nine-wicket victory Friday and only their second Test win in India since 2004.

Head, Labuschagne stay calm to steer Australia to Test victory over India

Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne held their nerve on a viciously turning Indore pitch on Friday to guide Australia to a nine-wicket victory and only their second Test win in India since 2004.