Lyon King of the Test wicket
MITCHELL Starc has given a revealing insight into Nathan Lyon’s transition from insecure performer to rampaging superstar.
It seems incredible that until recently Lyon’s self-conscious demeanour gave off the vibe to even his closest teammates that the custodian of the team song was “making his debut every week”.
But almost overnight, the timid mouse from country NSW has become the box office Lyon King about to usurp Dennis Lillee in the record books with the 350-wicket mark fast approaching.
Once upon a time it was Lyon’s job to complement the heavy lifting done by the big name quicks, but Starc is adamant the attack now revolves around the off-spinning phenomenon.
Lyon’s former habit of seeking positive reinforcement from the likes of Brad Haddin or Peter Nevill after every over has given way to a Shane Warne-like presence.
“We do joke about it, but the past 12 months he’s found a confidence he didn’t really think he had in himself,” Starc told the Sunday Territorian.
“At times it felt like he was making his debut every week.
“… Whether it was needing a bit of a pat on the back at times or just needing to hear from someone else that he was pretty good.
“Now he’s starting to believe how good he is. And that’s showing in his results.
“He looks like he can get a wicket every over.
“Now he has that self-belief, which I guess is half the battle.”
In conditions where fast bowlers are supposed to dominate, Lyon has 16 wickets at a mesmerising average of 19.43 from the first two Tests against India.
The next best wicket-taker is five behind him in Jasprit Bumrah, and Starc is the next Australian on the list with 10.
Starc isn’t exactly certain what the turning point was, but if you look at Lyon’s career record – a clear change seemed to come over him after he was on the verge of being dropped during the 2016-17 Test summer.
After going 540 deliveries without a first-class wicket, it was understood at the time Lyon only survived in the XI because Steve O’Keefe did his hamstring. But from there, the 30-year-old bit back hard against South Africa and Pakistan.
Matthew Wade started his iconic “Nice, Gary” chant later that summer and in the months that followed, Lyon dominated in the sub-continent for the first time with massive hauls in India and Bangladesh.