Sydney: While quite a few have questioned the quality of the pitch that was on offer for the third Test between India and England in Motera, Australia’s off-spinner Nathan Lyon has emerged amongst the few to come in support of the pitch where India thumped England in two days of the day-night Test on February 25.
Speaking to Cricket Australia, Lyon said that when teams get bowled out for low scores on a seaming wicket, there is hardly any criticism but as soon a turning track creates problem for the batsmen, everyone starts ‘crying’ about it.
“We play on seaming wickets around the world and get bowled out for 47, 60. Nobody ever says a thing (about the pitch)” Lyon said. As many as 27 of the 30 wickets that fell went to spinners as the pink-ball Test ended in less than two days, becoming the shortest completed Test since 1935.
England were bundled out for 112 and 81 as India went on to clinch a 10-wicket win and take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series at home. “But as soon as it starts spinning, everyone in the world seems to start crying about it. I don’t get it. I’m all for it, it was entertaining,” he added.
The Australian off-spinner, who has 399 Test wickets to his name, also mentioned that the surface used for the third Test in Ahmedabad was ‘brilliant’ and he would like the curator to work at the Sydney Cricket Ground. “I was up all night watching it (Ahmedabad Test). It was absolutely brilliant. I’m thinking about bringing that curator out to the SCG,” the 33-year-old said.
