Nathan Lyon names three best batsmen he has bowled to, includes 2 Indians

Nathan Lyon recently became the eighth bowler to take 500 wickets in test cricket.

As Australia are gearing up for the upcoming Pink test against Pakistan at the SCG, veteran spinner Nathan Lyon offered a rare glimpse into the challenges faced during his decade-long test career. Recently making a comeback in the ongoing three-match test series, Lyon shared valuable insights into the art of dismissing top-order batsmen. He refrained from singling out one player, but named three iconic batsmen instead, who have left an indelible mark on him. Nathan Lyon recently became eighth bowler in history to take 500 wickets in Test cricket.

Sydney test also marks David Warner playing final test match of his career on his home ground. Warner announced his retirement from test cricket and recently announced his retirement from ODIs as well.

Nathon Lyon picks his best three batters

Nathon Lyon delved into the challenge of dismissing these batting maestros, emphasising the need to persistently challenge their defences over an extended period. Lyon said, “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.”

The off-spinner highlighted his success against Virat Kohli, having dismissed Indian batter on seven occasions in 23 test matches between India and Australia. Against Sachin Tendulkar, Nathan Lyon managed to send the Little Master back to the pavilion four times in six test matches spanning from 2011 to 2013. Lyon’s remarkable record against India includes 121 wickets in 27 test matches, with a career-best performance of 8/50 against the Indian side in Bengaluru.

While Nathan Lyon found success against Kohli and Tendulkar, AB de Villiers proved to be a tougher challenge. Lyon managed to dismiss the South African batsman only twice in 12 encounters, showcasing the resilience of de Villiers at the crease.

“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.

As Nathan Lyon prepares to contribute to Australia’s quest for a series sweep against Pakistan, his reflections on facing cricketing legends provide fans with a deeper understanding of the strategic nuances in the sport.

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