To win in Australia, Pakistan batters have to dominate Nathan Lyon

[shortbread]

There's a lot of focus on the Australian quicks, bouncing pitches etc, but the man who really puts in the grind when Australia fields and restricts the runs is Nathan Lyon. Some days he bowls a third of the overs allowing the pacers to recuperate and bend their backs. Lyon might not bag a lot of wickets but he's miserly and wont give away runs. If the Pak batsmen keep tuk-tuking against him, they're simply playing into his plans.

Must look to dominate Lyon and score 4-5 an over. I'm not asking to go on an all out attack or get out playing stupid shots. But need to keep Lyon guessing and having to shuffle the field around. Sweep shots, strike rotation, punish bad balls etc.. etc... just do not allow Lyon to settle. Restricting Lyons overs means increasing the workload on the pacers. It's a long series.

 

[Mamoon]

Facts suggest otherwise.

Lyon career average and economy rate at home: 31 and 2.8

Lyon average and economy rate at home vs Pakistan: 41 and 3.4

Lyon has the highest economy rate at home vs Pakistan among all teams. In addition, he has the second highest average at home vs Pakistan among all teams.

Pakistan have clearly dominated Lyon more than any other team in Australia. Pakistan have batted very well in Australia over the last two tours but they have lost every match because the bowling has been shockingly poor.

The key to beating Australia in Australia is to limit them to 300-350 like India did in their last two series. Pakistan have scored enough runs in both 2016 and 2019 to be competitive, but while our batsmen bat out of their skins and hold Lyon at bay to get to 350-400, Australia in response end up 600/3 and condemn Pakistan to a thrashing.

 

[Buffet]

No, Pakistan needs to have ability to pick 20 wickets. That's has been a problem for decades.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Among all the SENA countries Australia is the easiest place to bat unless it is a pink ball Test depending on when you bat. They have been rolling out batting friendly wickets for more than a decade. IF they roll out bowler friendly wicket even Australia will struggle like they did against SA. Travis Head's cameo proved to be difference. Even chasing a meagre 4th innings totals the lost 4 wickets. Their modus operandi is batting long and applying relentless pressure while bowling. Your bowling has to step up massively.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

A battle to watch would be Lyon vs Saud. We have heard a lot of fanfare regarding saud's spin playing prowess and it would be the time to walk the talk

 

[Nikhil_cric]

You have to hit 2 of their bowlers out of the attack .

Reason India won on 2 tours was because our batters managed to keep Lyon ineffective and also successfully murdered Starc when he came back for subsequent spells(Opening spell - he's a nightmare)

No other team has managed to do that successfully .

Cummins and Hazlewood, at their best, are accurate high release hit the deck bowlers who aren't bullied easily .

Of course the bigger issue is that Pakistani bowlers don't have the ability to be effective for more than 4 overs so this is a bit redundant for PAK in particular.

 

[RidiculousMan]

You have to hit 2 of their bowlers out of the attack .

Reason India won on 2 tours was because our batters managed to keep Lyon ineffective and also successfully murdered Starc when he came back for subsequent spells(Opening spell - he's a nightmare)

No other team has managed to do that successfully .

Cummins and Hazlewood, at their best, are accurate high release hit the deck bowlers who aren't bullied easily .

Of course the bigger issue is that Pakistani bowlers don't have the ability to be effective for more than 4 overs so this is a bit redundant for PAK in particular.

I have seen Starc bowl wayward when you target him. He's very frantic, even in Test Cricket. Certainly he should be targeted and is an easy target when you compare to Hazlewood and Cummins.

 

[charlie007]

It’s funny people are talking about Lyon! So presumptive! Are you so certain your batting line will play out the pacers without much damage?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I have seen Starc bowl wayward when you target him. He's very frantic, even in Test Cricket. Certainly he should be targeted and is an easy target when you compare to Hazlewood and Cummins.

Yep high percentage of attacking strokes vs Lyon and Starc and more defensive strokes against Cummins and Hazlewood are what works

 

[Savak]

You have to hit 2 of their bowlers out of the attack .

Reason India won on 2 tours was because our batters managed to keep Lyon ineffective and also successfully murdered Starc when he came back for subsequent spells(Opening spell - he's a nightmare)

No other team has managed to do that successfully .

Cummins and Hazlewood, at their best, are accurate high release hit the deck bowlers who aren't bullied easily .

Of course the bigger issue is that Pakistani bowlers don't have the ability to be effective for more than 4 overs so this is a bit redundant for PAK in particular.

India won because they successfully found answers to neutralize Australias batting and the Australian bowling attack becomes half when they don't have the luxury of big runs to play with.

 

[Bewal Express]

He is too good for our batters

 

[jnaveen1980]

People don't understand why Australian bowling is mighty effecitve on flat Australian pitches. It is their relentlesness more than the skill. THey have the fitness and the stamina to do the same thing over and over until you cave in. Counter attacking is one way to go about it (Pietersen, Pant, Kohli). Another way to go about is showing great temperament (Cook, Pujara). If you get sutck in between you will be going nowhere.

 

[Marooned]

I have seen Starc bowl wayward when you target him. He's very frantic, even in Test Cricket. Certainly he should be targeted and is an easy target when you compare to Hazlewood and Cummins.

Relax. Starc bullies our batsmen like no tomorrow. Hazlewood, Cummins are great bowlers but it's Starc who feasts the most against us.

 

[Marooned]

Facts suggest otherwise.

Lyon career average and economy rate at home: 31 and 2.8

Lyon average and economy rate at home vs Pakistan: 41 and 3.4

Lyon has the highest economy rate at home vs Pakistan among all teams. In addition, he has the second highest average at home vs Pakistan among all teams.

Pakistan have clearly dominated Lyon more than any other team in Australia. Pakistan have batted very well in Australia over the last two tours but they have lost every match because the bowling has been shockingly poor.

The key to beating Australia in Australia is to limit them to 300-350 like India did in their last two series. Pakistan have scored enough runs in both 2016 and 2019 to be competitive, but while our batsmen bat out of their skins and hold Lyon at bay to get to 350-400, Australia in response end up 600/3 and condemn Pakistan to a thrashing.

Not true for 2019 tour. When Yasir Shah is your 2nd highest run getter, it's a clear failure of batting unit too. They certainly didn't "bat out of their skins".

 

[Ozeirk]

Facts suggest otherwise.

Lyon career average and economy rate at home: 31 and 2.8

Lyon average and economy rate at home vs Pakistan: 41 and 3.4

Lyon has the highest economy rate at home vs Pakistan among all teams. In addition, he has the second highest average at home vs Pakistan among all teams.

Pakistan have clearly dominated Lyon more than any other team in Australia. Pakistan have batted very well in Australia over the last two tours but they have lost every match because the bowling has been shockingly poor.

The key to beating Australia in Australia is to limit them to 300-350 like India did in their last two series. Pakistan have scored enough runs in both 2016 and 2019 to be competitive, but while our batsmen bat out of their skins and hold Lyon at bay to get to 350-400, Australia in response end up 600/3 and condemn Pakistan to a thrashing.

Fair assessment and that is why I think Shan Masood will regret taking the test captaincy here. Shaheen Afridi who used his father in law's influence to get that role in T20 should have been made captain of the test side to deal with the tough tour.

We all know Pakistan will do relatively well in T20 and this would allow Shaheen to escape the criticism. It wasn't like Pakistan t20 team was actually struggling much. They made it to the final last worldcup.

 

[Mamoon]

Not true for 2019 tour. When Yasir Shah is your 2nd highest run getter, it's a clear failure of batting unit too. They certainly didn't "bat out of their skins".

It doesn’t matter who scores, they all count the same. Yasir’s fluke century meant he finished as the highest run getter but the other batsmen except Babar played some decent cameos too.

Pakistan had the following scores:

240
335
302
239

These are pretty decent scores and can keep you in the game provided that you have the bowlers who can take 20 wickets and limit Australia to similar totals.

Australia on the other hand batted twice only and scored 580 and 589. That is how woeful our bowling was.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

India won because they successfully found answers to neutralize Australias batting and the Australian bowling attack becomes half when they don't have the luxury of big runs to play with.

Yeah that's why I said this minor detail of attacking Starc won't be the reason for your loss
...

Your seamers' lack of talent and intelligence will yet again be why PAK lose an Australian series

 

[gazza619]

To dominate in Australia, Pak bowlers must dominate David Warner.

 

[sweep_shot]

They have to dominate many players. Australia are not a one man team.

It should be a tough tour but they need to be positive.

 

[ChTab]

That's not true at all. The only way Pakistan can win a test in Aus is by getting 20 wickets. In last 14 test matches Pakistan only got 20 wickets once & Pakistan could've won that match easily but another fixer (Kamran Akmal) stopped them from beating Aus in Sydney.

 

[Mamoon]

Fair assessment and that is why I think Shan Masood will regret taking the test captaincy here. Shaheen Afridi who used his father in law's influence to get that role in T20 should have been made captain of the test side to deal with the tough tour.

We all know Pakistan will do relatively well in T20 and this would allow Shaheen to escape the criticism. It wasn't like Pakistan t20 team was actually struggling much. They made it to the final last worldcup.

PCB’s original plan was to keep Babar as Test captain until the Australian tour. Babar made the right call by refusing to be a sacrificial lamb.

If he is not in the long-term plans as captain there is no need for him to be in the firing line in Australia.

 

[Marooned]

It doesn’t matter who scores, they all count the same. Yasir’s fluke century meant he finished as the highest run getter but the other batsmen except Babar played some decent cameos too.

Pakistan had the following scores:

240
335
302
239

These are pretty decent scores and can keep you in the game provided that you have the bowlers who can take 20 wickets and limit Australia to similar totals.

Australia on the other hand batted twice only and scored 580 and 589. That is how woeful our bowling was.

Ofcourse they all count but when a tail ender outscores pretty much the entire batting lineup it tells you the batting didn't do their job.

That 240 you listed right at the top is exactly where the series was decided. 1st game of the series, you win the toss on a beautiful batting wicket ..golden chance and then post a meagre 240 on board. You can't score 240 on a 500 pitch and then term it as "batting out of skin". When tailenders like Yasir and even Abbas found it easy to bat the big guys should have scored a tonne more.

Ofcourse the bowling was poor. That can't be an argument for glorifying the failure of batting. Cameos aren't enough for test cricket. They were awful too.

 

[jnaveen1980]

You also have to be tactically good as well. Field placing very very vital. Also most important thing is even though it is Australia 3/4 length bowling mixed with full bowling is what going to create chances. Short ball can still be a surprising element. But you also need discipline to persist with channel bowling. Even seasoned bowlers like Broad has struggled there.

One of the most under-rated requirement in Australia is slip catching. Ball just flies. There won't be any easy slip catches in Australia.

 

[Jazx]

Failure of Pakistani bowling is the main reason of their pathetic record in Australia over the last 2 decade's test series. Surprisingly their batting was always decent there. And I think its because they always overrates themselves as the best fast bowling nation but have no idea how to bowl in those conditions and which kind of bowlers can succeed there.

 

[Jazx]

Fair assessment and that is why I think Shan Masood will regret taking the test captaincy here. Shaheen Afridi who used his father in law's influence to get that role in T20 should have been made captain of the test side to deal with the tough tour.

We all know Pakistan will do relatively well in T20 and this would allow Shaheen to escape the criticism. It wasn't like Pakistan t20 team was actually struggling much. They made it to the final last worldcup.

Infact I also believe Shaheen should have been made test captain instead of t20s. He need to play all the test series and be selective with bilateral t20s and odi series to prolong his career as a premier fast bowler.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Mark wood had been phenomenal in last ashes series in Australia. I guess we would be missing haris Rauf here. Should have opted for this tour.

 

[MenInG]

Lyon already troubling Pakistan!

 

[BouncerGuy]

Perfect set-up works for the Aussie great.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1735579601944924537

 

[BouncerGuy]

Lyon nearing 500 wickets.

 

[Kianig89]

Lyon nearing 500 wickets.

View attachment 140284

He commands respect, and our fools in team management think otherwise, Lyon will be bowler of series

 

[shortbread]

Shafique and Masood looked to be positive against Lyon.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Nathan Lyon's hunt for the 500th test wicket has been halted as he remains on 499 wickets. He will get it in the 2nd innings surely. What a wonderful feat. it will be.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

and most of the wickets they have given to their pacers in 1st test at perth.

It surprises me how effective Nathan Lyon is even on fast bouncy pitches, If he could have played more in the subcontinent he might have ended up with 800 wickets.

 

[Buffet]

and most of the wickets they have given to their pacers in 1st test at perth.

It surprises me how effective Nathan Lyon is even on fast bouncy pitches, If he could have played more in the subcontinent he might have ended up with 800 wickets.

Nah, 52 innings in Asia and he has the same output in Asia as his career record. He averages 30-31.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Nah, 52 innings in Asia and he has the same output in Asia as his career record. He averages 30-31.

Yup it is a myth. Ashwin and Lyon have played against each other in 10 tests in Australia. Ashwin 10 tests 39 wickets. Lyon 10 tests 32 wickets.

In India Lyon/Ashwin/Jadeja played 11tests together

Ashwin 11 tests 69 wickets
Jadeja 11 tests 65 wickets
Lyon 11 tests 56 wickets despite being the main bowler.

 

[Asad T]

We tried to dominate him, but he dominated us more, taking 4/73.
Shan specifically tried to dominate him; it was quite obvious, but unfo, Lyon got the better of Pakistan again

 

[Asad T]

Average of 42 against Pakistan, he has struggled against us. I'm liking Masood and Babar having a go at him. It's forcing Cummins to tire his pacers.

 

[shortbread]

Average of 42 against Pakistan, he has struggled against us. I'm liking Masood and Babar having a go at him. It's forcing Cummins to tire his pacers.

100%, Masood especially hasn't allowed Lyon to be his confident cocky best. Good job by the skip.

 

[Asad T]

Interesting to see Lyon bowl faster to Masood in the 90's (not wanting him to leave his crease) whereas he was bowing slower and loopeir to Saud (88kpm). It shows that if you show a bit of intent and not allow Lyon to settle, you can dominate him.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Lyon is pitching even wider today as he is getting massive turn from the turf