We’re headed in the right direction: Lyon
First Published : 27 Jan 2012, 22:39
Last Modified : 27 Jan 2012, 22:39
Adelaide, Jan 27: Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon impressed on Day 4 of the fourth Test in Adelaide taking three crucial wickets. The 24-year-old pitch curator turned spinner got the better of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman to bring the visitors to the brink of another overseas Test series whitewash. In the post-match press interaction, the tweaker spoke about playing on his home ground and about taking Virender Sehwag’s wicket off a full toss.
Excerpts:
On dismissing Sehwag off a full toss
Ricky Ponting came up to me before that ball and said, ‘Do him in the air’. I was pretty happy with it.
On the bouts of verbal sparring between the sides
What’s been said on the field remains on the field as far as I am concerned. Ben Hilfenhaus’ run out [of Virender Kohli] was something special and there is a good feeling in the changing room right now.
On how he’d celebrate if they won the match
We still have to take four wickets so; I guess I’ll answer that question after, or if, we take the four wickets.
On the Test victory being imminent
As far as we are concerned in the Australian cricket room, we still have a long way to go where we want to get to. There is plenty of hard work ahead for the Australian cricket side.
On playing at his home ground
It’s been on the different side of the fence, you could say right now. I’m just enjoying the Test match [from the middle] right now rather than sitting on the roller and watching it. It’s been a fantastic experience playing in front of the home crowd and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.
On the state of the Adelaide wicket
I can’t see it being too bad a wicket; it’s still pretty good to bat on when the ball is in the middle of the wicket. There is a lot of rough for the spinners, so hopefully I’ll be able to play a vital role tomorrow.
On bowling around the wicket
Around the wicket was purely because there was a bit of rough there. We thought it may play in the [Indian batsmen’s] heads and may spit out something. It was a plan that I and [Michael] Clarke came up with and I’ve always bowled from pretty close to the stumps all along, so I am not changing too much.
On the attacking field placements
To bowl with so many attacking fielders around is something I haven’t done before. It didn’t work so we’ll give it a crack another time, hopefully.
On how both teams had matched up in the series
I wouldn’t say India are an average team. They are full of great cricketers and we still haven’t won this Test match yet, we still have a lot of work to do. Australia are heading in the right direction. We just have to keep working hard, on and off the field, and just keep going.
