Sri Lanka vs Australia: Nathan Lyon on bowling with back spasms in the 1st Test – I am pretty stiff now
India Today
SL vs AUS, 1st Test: Nathan Lyon picked up a five-wicket haul in the opening Test against Australia at the Galle International Stadium.
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, on Wednesday, June 29, talked about the back spasms he sustained during the first day’s play of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium. In the morning session, the off-break bowler complained of back pain after bowling only four balls.
On the very first ball of his spell, Lyon got an exaggerated amount of turn and bounce from the surface, leaving Dimuth Karunaratne surprised. Later, Lyon would go on to pick up a five-wicket haul, helping the Aussies bowl the Islanders out for 212 in 59 overs.
"I've never had one ever. I've been pretty lucky, touch wood, with injuries. It didn't impede me bowling (but) I'm pretty stiff now," Lyon was quoted as saying.
"(Extra bounce) is one of my biggest weapons, there's no secret about that. It's something I'm very excited to see, obviously, spin and bounce is good signs," he stated.
Lyon also racked up his 20th Test five-wicket haul in his career. The veteran said that Australia have learned plenty from their previous tour of Sri Lanka. Back then, the hosts won the Test series 3-0.
"We learned a lot from the 2016 tour, there’s no doubt about that. We learn a lot as young, developing Test cricketers, as a young team into a more senior squad (now).
"I’ve learned a lot from my time in the subcontinent but also in Australia about how to bowl off-breaks and what becomes really effective," Lyon added.
