Nathan Lyon inspires Australia to miracle win over Pakistan at MCG

NATHAN Lyon’s incredible ability to save his own skin has come to the fore again as the cult hero sets sail for Sydney and then India with an awesome display at the MCG.

Players swamp Starc after he cleaned up the tail. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

NATHAN Lyon’s incredible ability to save his own skin has come to the fore again as the spinning cult hero set sail for Sydney and then India with an awesome display at the MCG.

For the third time this summer Lyon had the threat of the axe hovering over him.

But his match-winning three-wicket haul on day five showed all the fight, skill and passion that has yielded him 200 Test wickets and buried any doubts that Lyon is going anywhere as Australia’s No.1 spinner, at least for now.

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Lyon celebrates taking his third wicket. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Lyon didn’t divulge much about his emotions post-match other than to say he was preparing to lead the Australian team song with as much vigour as ever before.

Australia are set to play two spinners at the SCG and if that’s the case right-armer will be one of them – Steve O’Keefe likely to be the other – with proud captain Steve Smith declaring that the deafening Lyon’s roar that vanquished Pakistan will be difficult to silence.

“If he keeps bowling like that, that was outstanding,” said Smith, who a day earlier had implored greater consistency from his out of sorts off-spinner.

Players swamp Starc after he cleaned up the tail. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“I thought he bowled beautifully today. He hit a good length consistently, he challenged the defence of the Pakistan players consistently and he got the rewards.

“A lot of credit has to go to Nathan Lyon. He came up with the crucial wickets.”

The Lyon hunter systematically tore through Pakistan’s all-time greats Younis Khan and Misbah ul-Haq in the space of three balls and then dispatched in-form star Asad Shafiq – an epic spell of bowling that left the visitors hanging on for grim life at 5-89.

Khan and Shafiq’s wickets were assisted by some brilliant catching from Peter Handscomb under the lid at short leg.

Australian players rallied around Lyon at every breakthrough, as another memorable chapter was written into cricket’s great survival story.

Coming into the second innings, Lyon had alarming figures of 9-600 for the summer – but his back’s to the wall rally cry at the MCG has not gone unnoticed by his coach.

“I’m really pleased for Nathan Lyon today I thought he was outstanding,” said Darren Lehmann.

“He bowled consistent line and length which has been up and down in his previous few Test matches and got through middle order, so I’m really pleased for him.

Niiice Garry! Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“He’s a great character in our team. The whole Australian public have got behind the ‘Nice Garry’ call and even we have as a group.

“We’re just really pleased the way he bowled today more so than anything, especially in the fourth innings winning us a game.”

Asked whether Lyon was still Australia’s No.1 spinner, Lehmann said:

“Well I would think so. For us it’s a case of having a look at the wicket and summing up the conditions,” he said.

“But he bowled beautifully today and there’s no reason why he wouldn’t.”

Ashton Agar is also in the Australian squad for Sydney, and it seems apparent that Lyon, O’Keefe and the young West Australian will be the spinning trio selectors take to India in February.