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This article was first published 12 years ago

Having already got three, Lyon eyes a five-for

Last updated on: January 27, 2012 19:17 IST


Photographs: Getty Images

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon is aiming for a five-wicket haul against a demoralised India as the fourth and final Test at the Adelaide Oval heads into the fifth day.

He feels the pitch is showing "natural variation".

"There's plenty of rough for the spinners, so, hopefully, I will be able to play more of a role tomorrow," said Lyon, who bagged three wickets for 57 in India's second innings on Friday, Day 4 of the Test.

'We're starting to see some natural variation'


Photographs: Getty Images

"We're starting to see some natural variation and some spin and the ball is starting to keep low," added the bowler, who had taken just two wickets in the series coming into this match.

Australia are just four wickets away from completing a 4-0 series whitewash.

Tags: Australia

'It's been an absolute privilege to get Sachin out'


Photographs: Getty Images

Lyon's first wicket was that of Virender Sehwag, who chose to hit a full toss uppishly into the covers.

"It probably wasn't my best ball. I'm not going to call him back. That's for sure. Ricky Ponting came up to me just before that ball and said 'do him in the air' so I was pretty happy about it," he said.

He also had Sachin Tendulkar, caught at forward short leg, but did not seem overwhelmed by the scalp.

"It's been an absolute privilege to get him out," said Lyon.

'I've felt I've bowled reasonably okay the whole summer'


Photographs: Getty Images

Though it is the first time Lyon is among the wickets, he insisted he bowled well throughout the series.

"I've felt I've bowled reasonably okay the whole summer. It's just good to be able to contribute to hopefully a team's victory," he said.

At one stage during India's second innings, Lyon had nine fielders around the bat.

"To have that many fielders around the bat is something I've never done before. It didn't work, but we'll give it a crack another time, hopefully," he said.

Tags: Lyon , India

'I'm enjoying the match rather than sitting on the roller watching it'


Photographs: Getty Images

Lyon, who had worked as one of the groundstaff at the Adelaide Oval, said he is enjoying his present stint with the Australian team.

"It's been a different type of fence, you could say right now. I'm enjoying the Test match rather than sitting on the roller watching it. It's been a fantastic experience in front of the home crowd and I've enjoyed every moment of it," he added.

'What's been said on the field stays on the field'


Photographs: Getty Images

Virat Kohli and Ben Hilfenhaus were involved in a verbal spat on the field on the third day, and on Friday the latter appeared to have had his revenge by running out the young Indian middle order batsman.

"What's been said on the field stays on the field as far as I'm concerned.

"Ben Hilfenhaus's run-out was pretty special. It set us on a good feeling in the change room right now," said Lyon.

'I wouldn't say India is an average team'


Photographs: Getty Images

He disagreed with critics that India is an average team.

"I wouldn't say India's an average team. They're full of great cricketers and we still have got a lot of work to do. Australia's heading in the right direction where we want to get to," he said.

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