Border-Gavaskar series: Notable stats of Australian spinner Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon played a major role in Australia's win against India in the third test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series in Indore. The senior off-spinner took 11 wickets as Australia defeated the hosts by nine wickets. Lyon led the charge in the second innings as Australia bundled out India for 163, with his figures reading 8/64. Here are his stats.
Lyon surpasses Anil Kumble
Lyon decimated the Indian batting line-up in the second innings. As a result, he surpassed legend Anil Kumble to become the highest wicket-taker in the Border Gavaskar series with 113 wickets from only 25 matches. Before this, Kumble, with 111 scalps, was the highest wicket-taker in this regard. Lyon's magical bowling helped him overtake the veteran Indian leg-spinner.
Why does this story matter?
Lyon is one of Australia's greatest servants in Tests. He is Australia's second-most successful spinner after veteran Shane Warne. Lyon's expertise has helped Australia win several momentous matches, especially against India. His heroics in Indore saw him pick more Test wickets against India than the great Muttiah Muralitharan. He is the reason Australia has somewhat tasted success in Indian conditions of late.
Second-most wickets against India
Lyon has played a pivotal role in Australia's success against India in whites. The veteran off-spinner is now the second-highest wicket-taker against India in the format (108). He is only behind England seamer James Anderson (139 wickets). With his heroics in Indore, he surpassed Muralitharan, who had picked 105 scalps against India from 22 Test Matches at an average of 32.61.
Career stats of Lyon
Lyon is one of the three off-spinners to take 450 wickets in Test cricket. The list also includes Muralitharan and Lyon's counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin. The veteran Australian off-spinner has played 118 Test matches and picked up 479 wickets. He is the only Australian to pick up 100 wickets against India in Test cricket. His best Test figures (8/50) came in 2017 against India.
Only Australian to pick 100 wickets in Tests against India
Lyon has been head and shoulders above any of his compatriots when it comes to bowling against India. He is the only Australian bowler to pick more than 100 wickets (113) against India in whites. He is followed by Brett Lee (53) and Richie Benaud (52) in this regard. Warne had only 43 wickets against India in the longer format.
Australia win Indore Test by nine wickets
The visitors started the Indore Test on a positive note as they got India out for 109. In reply, Australia scored 197, courtesy of Khawaja's brilliant 60. India could only manage 163 as Pujara scored a valiant half-century. Meanwhile, Lyon picked up an eight-fer to restrict the target to only 76. Australia reached the target comfortably and won by nine wickets.
