Published: Dec 16, 2018, 05:24 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 16, 2018, 05:24 PM (IST)
Perth: Nathan Lyon dismantled India’s tail on Sunday with the last three wickets falling for 31 runs to claim his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as Australia took a 43-run lead in the first innings.
The offspinner, who now has 331 Test scalps, has drawn equal with Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan’s record against India, after the 31-year-old claimed figures of 5/61 in his 34.5 overs. Lyon and Muralitharan now have seven five-wicket hauls against India in Test cricket.
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Lyon’s incredible feat on a pacer bowler-friendly wicket saw him draw high praise from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. “Australia have got a very special spinner in @NathLyon421,” Tendulkar tweeted on Sunday.
“He has got terrific variations and uses the pace and bounce from the pitch to extract maximum value.”
Australia have got a very special spinner in @NathLyon421. He has got terrific variations and uses the pace and bounce from the pitch to extract maximum value. #INDvAUS
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 16, 2018
After hearing of Tendulkar’s tweet, Lyon was chuffed. “That’s amazing to get something like that from Sachin Tendulkar,” Lyon was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au after the day’s play.
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“He’s obviously one of the greatest of all time to ever play the game. So, to get recognised from him it’s a massive honour.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s 31-year-old strike weapon also found himself at No. 25 on the all-time list of leading wicket-takers surpassing South Africa pace great Allan Donald. “It’s a bit surreal,” Lyon said when told of the record.
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Lyon said that still has a lot left in the tank. “To pass the great ‘White Lightning’ it’s pretty special. Those types of milestones for me personally haven’t really sunk in. I don’t think I’m at the top of my game yet,” he said.
“I think I’ve still got a lot of improvement, a lot of learning about the game and about off-spin bowling. I believe there’s a lot around the corner for me if I keep working hard and keep wanting to get better.
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“At the end of my career I’ll sit down with my family and friends and hopefully have a beer with mum and dad and my brother and everyone else and just go ‘OK, that’s where we got to, that’s pretty special’. But I’ve got a lot to achieve in my eyes.”
