Nathan Lyon was an intern here at the Adelaide Oval two years back, waking up every morning at 5.30 a.m. to cut the outfield grass.
The off-spinner, whose work as a curator brought him to Adelaide from Canberra, is poised to play his first Test here when Australia takes on India from Tuesday. It's been a remarkable journey for the 24-year-old, who made his first-class debut only last year.
But after an encouraging start to his Test career — 28 wickets from seven Tests at 24.59 — Lyon has struggled to make an impression on India's batsmen, who might have struggled against seam but have shown no signs of discomfort against spin. He isn't worried about returns of two for 180 from two Tests, however.
“It's just been a great challenge for myself, being a young spinner and bowling against the best batters against spin,” Lyon said after Australia's practice on Saturday. “Their hands are unbelievable and they're really confident against spin, so it's a great challenge for myself and I'm loving every moment of it.”
Lyon said he thought he was a better bowler at the moment than he was at the beginning of the series. He has worked on his craft, talking to Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting to better understand his experience of bowling to India's batsmen.
“Missing out on the Test in Perth was a great opportunity for me,” he said. “I used all that time possible to make myself a better player. I'm just trying to keep executing my stock ball to the best of my ability. Of course changes of pace and natural variation all come into it, but I've been working hard with Ricky Ponting especially on my bowling in the nets and bowling to him, because I find him one of the best bats to bowl to in the nets.”
Michael Clarke appeared to lose confidence in his off-spinner during the first two Tests, but Lyon said he enjoys his captain's support. “I've got a really good relationship with Pup,” he said.
“He's a fantastic captain and we've got some clear plans with my bowling. He's always told me to back my skill and do what I do best and that's being an attacking spinner rather than a defensive one. He's been awesome like that. But in this series against the Indians our quicks have been doing the damage, so I haven't had the opportunity really to bowl long spells and get in as it's been a couple of short Test matches. Hopefully if I get the nod out here I'll be able to bowl a few long spells and see where we get to.”
