Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon said some of his team members were surprised at the reaction of members of the Indian team over avoiding the follow-up action on day four of the third Test at the Gabba. At the Gabba, the last wicket partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep helped India avoid the follow-on and avert a possible innings defeat. As soon as Akash got a big outside edge over gully for four off Pat Cummins, it led to jubilant reactions and high-fives from captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and talismanic batsman Virat Kohli.
“There are a few of us who talked about (how we are) surprised at their reaction. We played well and brought the game to where we are now. Frustrating, but we are still in locker room 185 at the front. I still feel that if we bat well, we can push for an Australian win.
“We have no control over the weather. What we can control is our process. He was especially excellent against Jasprit Bumrah this series. (Reaction from India) It looked like their top order didn't want to bat if we forced the follow-up action. It was quite a challenge to enforce the sequel with Josh out,” Lyon told broadcaster Fox Sports during the rain break on day five of the match.
With just 196 overs bowled in the Test so far, Lyon complained about the weather disrupting proceedings, especially after losing Hazlewood to calf strain. “It's really frustrating. It's the trend of the week. I still feel there is a lot of cricket left in the game. We just need the weather to get out.”
“Mitch and Pat, they have been great for Australia for a number of years and I am very privileged to be part of this Australian bowling attack. Their work ethic is excellent. We are proud of our fielding and we did that by watching the Australian boys in front of us.”
Lyon also expressed his views on India using three different spinners in the series so far, adding that he wants to see Ravichandran Ashwin play in the last two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
“It's an interesting question. There's someone sitting (on the bench) with like 530 Test wickets and I'm walking to the ground scratching my head and saying, 'What are you doing?'. He has proven himself to be one of the best spin bowlers in the world to ever play the game. I expect Ash to play in Melbourne and Sydney.”
“(It) more than surprises me. That's the quality of Indian cricketers they have in that squad. You have Ashwin with 530 odd wickets (536) and then Jadeja with over 300 wickets (319). It's quite remarkable to see the quality of the players on the bench. It's a good headache to have.”
“Nothing but respect. Just the way Ash has been acting on and off the field for several years now, and his skills are incredible. We have different opinions on different things, there is no right or wrong.”
“But to have those conversations with a bowler like Ashwin is great. From different variations to different tactics, understand what he's trying to do. We are both very different. So our conversation this morning was brilliant and I hope we have more during the series and in the future.
Lyon, who made his Test debut in 2011, signed off by revealing the message he gave himself before playing his first match for Australia. “Trust yourself. “I was lucky to be in the team I got into, with Michael Clarke as captain and a lot of great players in and around that team, to have that support.”
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