"Lyon has a more complete game than Ashwin" - Former South African spinner Paul Adams
Former South African spinner Paul Adams reckons that Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon is a more 'complete' bowler in comparison to his Indian counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin. According to Adams, of the two spinners, Lyon challengers the batters a lot more.
Lyon and Ashwin are two of the most successful spinners in the history of Test cricket. The Aussie has 530 wickets from 129 Test matches, while the latter has claimed 536 scalps in 105 Tests. Both spinners will be in action when team India take on Australia in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy from November 22.
In a virtual interaction arranged by SA20, Adams shared his thoughts on the Ashwin vs Lyon debate. He opined [as quoted by news agency PTI]:
"I still think Nathan Lyon has a more complete game in terms of competing in subcontinent and in Australia or South Africa, those type of conditions, than Ashwin."
"He (Ashwin) has a carrom ball that can turn the ball the opposite ways. But Lyon has been someone who has bowled with a lot of over-spin. That challenges the batters," the 47-year-old added.
Adams claimed 134 scalps in 45 Tests at an average of 32.87, with four five-fers and one ten-wicket match haul. He was renowned for his 'frog in a blender' action.
"I think he will be a major miss for India" - Adams on Shami's absence from Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Sharing his thoughts on the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Adams said that India will miss the services of seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami to a huge extent. The Indian fast bowler has not played any cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia.
Adams said about Shami's absence:
"I think he (Shami) will be a major miss for India, given the Australian conditions. The pace and bouncy wickets in Australia would have helped India in gaining an upper hand if Shami had been in the squad but that's not in the selector's hand as he is recovering, but I think he will be missed."
Shami has been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru following an ankle surgery earlier this year. He is set to return to competitive cricket during Bengal's Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore, which begins on Wednesday, November 13.
In 64 Tests, he has claimed 229 wickets at an average of 27.71, with six five-fers to his credit.