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Lyon hasn’t bowled ‘at his best’ – Smith
- Updated: December 29, 2016
Australia’s captain Steven Smith has declined to name Nathan Lyon a certain starter for the Sydney Test, declaring that Australia needed greater consistency from the offspinner.
Lyon is the most experienced member of Australia’s current Test side and the country’s most prolific Test offspinner of all time, yet this summer he has struggled for impact and has taken nine wickets at 66.66 during five Tests so far. In Pakistan’s first innings at the MCG, Lyon took 1 for 115 from 23 overs, his figures ballooning as Pakistan chased quick late runs on day three.
“I’m not sure. That’s up to the selectors,” Smith said when asked if Lyon was an automatic selection for the Sydney Test. “He obviously hasn’t bowled at his best in this game. It’s always difficult bowling to lots of right-handers.
“And they [Pakistan] play spin pretty well. It’s never easy bowling against subcontinent players when the ball isn’t doing a lot off the wicket as well. I guess we’re just looking for Nathan to be a little bit more consistent in the way he bowls.”
Although the SCG has offered significant turn in some Sheffield Shield matches this summer, it …
