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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Lyon spins a web around India, says tough to chase 100
This article was first published 11 years ago

Lyon spins a web around India, says tough to chase 100

Last updated on: March 23, 2013 19:41 IST

Image: Nathan Lyon
Photographs: BCCI

It was Australia's best day in the series so far. For the first time in the four Tests, they were able to put the Indian batsmen under pressure, and it paid off handsomely.

- Scorecard

- PHOTOS: India v Australia, Delhi Test, Day 2

- Top perfoemer: Lyon sends India crashing

Nathan Lyon deserves credit for leading Australia's revival as he claimed five wickets to keep the visitors in the contest after Day 2 of the fourth and final Test in Delhi on Saturday.

The Aussie spinner believes that if Australia can come up with a good performance with the bat in the second innings then it will make life difficult for India on a wicket that is deteriorating rapidly.

"A 100 runs is going to be tough to chase out there. The wicket is going to be tough and we have quality bowlers in our line-up. We really have to bat well or we have to get the two wickets in the morning but then we have to bat well and get a lead of 150 or 200 and put the Indians under some pressure," Lyon said in Delhi on Saturday.

'I love bowling long spells; it allows me to get my rhythm'

Image: Nathan Lyon celebrates a wicket with teammates
Photographs: BCCI

Off-spinner Lyon, 25, picked five for 94 in 22.1 overs to reduce India to 266 for eight after Australia were bowled out for 262 in their first innings.

Lyon was introduced into the attack in the 20th over and he struck with the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara in his fourth over followed by the wicket of Virat Kohli in his next.

He bowled a non-stop long first spell of 22 overs where he got four wickets before returning for another spell and ending the day with another scalp. "I love bowling long spells. It allows me to get my rhythm and I am more than happy to do it."

Lyon also paid tributes to his teammates and pointed out that he owes his success to his fellow bowlers, who kept up the pressure from the other end.

"I spoke to Shane Watson about getting into the contest and that is one big thing I have worked on personally and it worked well today. I was lucky enough to get five wickets but I didn't get the five wickets by myself, I had some good bowlers at the other end, bowling in partnerships and that is one area we hadn't done well in the last 3 Tests," he said.

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'We saw the reward of putting India under a bit of pressure'

Image: Shane Watson has a chat with umpire Aleem Dar
Photographs: BCCI

Tempers flared in the middle when Ravindra Jadeja complained to the umpire about David Warner, who was giving him a hard time with his chatter from mid-on. Several times during the day, the Aussie players were seen more aggressive than normal and having a go at the Indian batters.

But Lyon refused to get into the details of what transpired out in the middle.

"What happens on the field stays in the field. Australia plays cricket hard, we play hard but fair, we know where the line is. We push to the limit and that is the way we play our best cricket. That is something we haven't done in the last 3 Test matches and we saw the reward of putting India under a bit of pressure," he said.

He also believes India might have got distracted due to Australia's constant banter and regretted not trying the gamble earlier.

"I guess we do wish that we did it earlier. As I said that is the way Australia play their best cricket, putting the contest to the opposition and no matter who the opposition is, it works," he said.

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