SL vs AUS, 1st Test: Nathan Lyon takes a five-wicket haul in the opening Test against Australia at the Galle International Stadium.
Nathan Lyon of Australia. credit: AP
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- Lyon took five wickets in the first test
- Australia were 114 runs behind at stumps on day one
- Lyon also scored his 20th half-century in Test career
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon talks about a back cramp during the first day’s game against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium on Wednesday, June 29. In the morning session, the off-break bowler complained of back pain after bowling only four deliveries.
On the very first ball of his spell, Lyon got exaggerated turn and bounce off the surface, to the dismay of Dimuth Karunaratne. Later, Lyon went ahead to pick up a five-wicket haul to help bowl the Aussies out for 212 in 59 overs.
“I’ve never done that. I’ve been lucky enough to touch wood with injuries. It didn’t hurt me to bowl (but) I’m pretty tough now,” Lyon was quoted as saying.
“(Extra bounce) is one of my biggest weapons, there’s no secret. It’s something I’m very excited to see, obviously, spin and bounce are good signs,” he said.
Lyon also took the 20th Test five-wicket haul in his career. The veteran said Australia has learned a lot from their last tour of Sri Lanka. Thereafter, the hosts won the Test series 3–0.
“We learned a lot from the 2016 tour, no doubt. We learn a lot, as young, developing Test cricketers, as a young team in a more senior team (now).
“I’ve learned a lot from my time in the subcontinent but also in Australia about how to bowl off-breaks and what’s really effective,” Lyon said.
In the ongoing Test in Galle, Australia, led by Pat Cummins, are trailing by 114 runs with seven wickets left in their first innings. Usman Khawaja and Travis Head are the overnight batsmen.