WTC Final: Nathan Lyon bags unwanted record after bowling against India in first innings

Nathan Lyon has been a vital cog in the Australian lineup, and his contributions to the team have been immeasurable at times.One of Lyon’s greatest strengths lies in his ability to extract significant turn and bounce from any surface, making him a constant threat to opposing batters.His consent control over line and length allows him to challenge the batters on any surface and often induce makes.
Lyon’s subtle variations, coupled with his quick spin, can be a handful in both innings.
In the WTC final, Lyon showed his value when he came in to bowl in the 32nd over of India’s innings and broke a crucial partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane. Despite having four-seam options, Lyon was the one who got the breakthrough for his captain, and that shows his value.
Jadeja’s innings ended on 48 from 51 balls 21 minutes before stumps when Lyon’s ninth delivery found turn and bounce, touched left-handed Jadeja and slid into Smith’s hands.
However, Lyon only bowled four overs in the first innings and finished with 1/19.
It was just the sixth time in Lyon’s 120-Test career that he bowled less than five overs in the first innings of a match.
Interestingly, CricViz stats revealed that spinners had gotten an average of 2.3 degrees of turn at The Oval, the lowest for a Test match at the Kennington venue since 2006.
With India likely to bat in the fourth innings and chasing a big target, Lyon will definitely come into play.
Meanwhile, Australia stretched its lead to 296 runs against India and tightened its grip on the World Test Championship final after three fascinating days at the Oval on Friday.