Ashes 2023: Nathan Lyon exceptional in the last two years, says Travis Head

Australia’s talisman batter Travis Head has showered praise on Nathan Lyon and stated the off-spinner has been exceptional in the last two years. Lyon played an instrumental role in the opening Test success as he scalped a total of eight wickets. Lyon returned with figures of 4-149 in the first innings and then took 4-80 in the second essay.

In the last two years, Lyon has scalped 53 wickets in 10 Test matches at an average of 29.71. The veteran off-spinner is also on the cusp of reaching 500 Test wickets as he needs another five more wickets to get to the landmark.

Furthermore, Lyon scored a crucial unbeaten knock of 16 runs in the second dig in the opening Test and added 55 runs with skipper Pat Cummins to help Australia get over the line.

On the other hand, Travis Head scored a quickfire knock of 50 runs off just 63 balls in the first innings at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

“Well, what was he, 400 (wickets), in Brisbane in the last Ashes (2021-22)? So, two years later and we are talking 500. He’s had an exceptional couple of years. This is a great test for him as well because no team has played him like this,” Head was quoted as saying on cricket.com.au.

Head tipped Nathan Lyon as their banker and lauded the off-spinner for his impressive economy rate, which helps the Australian pacers in attacking from the other end.

“He’s normally our banker, he is normally someone that sits in and goes at just two an over and we can rotate our quicks a little bit similar to how England did it last week and he has just got it on a dime,” he stated.

“So it was interesting to see how they attacked him and the success he had with it. He had a beautiful week. He bowled well. Each week he has been here, it has come out of his hand better. 500 Test wickets is amazing and it will be amazing to see how much further he can go with that. He has still got a lot of time left in him, I think,” Head added.

Lyon is once again going to hold the key for Australia in the second Test match, which will be played at Lord’s from Wednesday onwards.