Perth: Veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has praised his Indian counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin as a highly intelligent bowler and a significant influence on his career. Lyon, who has competed against Ashwin since their Test debuts in 2011-12, acknowledged that observing Ashwin has taught him a lot about the art of spin bowling.
“Ash is an incredible bowler,” Lyon told Fox Cricket. “I’ve gone head-to-head with him throughout my career and learned a lot from him. He’s extremely smart, quick to adapt, and his ability to use his skills for his team’s success is remarkable. You’ve got to give credit where it’s due—he’s consistently been one of the best bowlers in the world.”
Mutual Respect Between Rivals
The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy marks the eighth time the two spinners will face each other in the longest format. Ashwin, set to embark on his fifth Test tour of Australia, has claimed 39 wickets in 10 Tests on Australian soil at an average of 42.15. Despite their contrasting styles and conditions, Lyon admitted he has closely studied Ashwin’s techniques, particularly before Australia’s recent tours to India.
“He’s taught me a lot,” Lyon said. “I firmly believe that your rivals are often your best coaches. I’ve watched a lot of Ashwin’s footage, especially his performances in Australia and India, to pick up anything that could improve my own game.
“No one has ever completely mastered cricket, and there’s so much to learn. Ashwin’s taken over 500 Test wickets, and he should be incredibly proud of that achievement. He’s world-class, and there’s still plenty I can learn from him.”
A Comparison of Spin Greats
Ashwin and Lyon have consistently been pivotal for their respective teams, with intriguing statistics to compare. Ashwin boasts a better bowling average outside Asia (33.14) compared to Lyon’s (30.09), while Lyon edges Ashwin in Asia, averaging 30.81 to Ashwin’s 21.76.
When asked about his longevity and potential future faceoffs with Ashwin, Lyon remarked, “Spin bowling is a craft that often improves with age. There’s no age limit for me, and I don’t think there should be one for Ash either. We could very well face each other in another series in a few years.”
Strategy for Success
Discussing his secret to success on non-turning tracks, Lyon humorously noted, “I know Jadeja reads this stuff, so I can’t reveal all my secrets. But for me, it’s about spinning up the back of the ball and generating bounce. It’s a tough craft in Australia, where the margin for error is very small.”
Confidence from Recent Success
While Australia has not won a Test series against India in nearly a decade, Lyon believes their victory in the World Test Championship (WTC) final last year offers a psychological advantage.
“India has dominated us in the past few series, but our WTC final win in England gives us confidence heading into this series. We’re on a journey to becoming a great team—not there yet, but this summer presents a special opportunity.”
India’s Resolve Post-Defeat
Lyon also highlighted India’s determination, especially after their unprecedented 0-3 home series defeat against New Zealand. “India is a class outfit, and their preparation will be top-notch. They’ll be dangerous, and this is going to be a cracking Test series.
“It’s been ten long years since Australia last held the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Only a few players in our squad have experienced that feeling, and it’s time to bring it home,” Lyon concluded.
The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy kicks off on November 22 in Perth, setting the stage for an enthralling contest between two world-class teams.
