Nathan Lyon names RCB star as the next Jacques Kallis
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon feels that all-rounder Cameron Green could be the next Jacques Kallis of international cricket. Lyon said he played against Green in the Sheffield Shield tournament and the batter gave him a lot of headaches. Australia and West Indies clashed at the Gabba to produce a spectacular Test match as the West Indies won the Test match defeating Australia by eight runs. This was the first time when Australia lost a day-night Test and it was the first win for the West Indies in day-night Tests.
Camron Green scored 42 off 73 balls in Australia’s second innings and established a great partnership with opener Steve Smith. He gave a glimpse of his potential when he notched up a brilliant century in India last year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but it was followed by a string of low scores which forced Australia to replace him with Mitchell Marsh in the Ashes 2023 in England. However, David Warner’s retirement allowed Cameron Green to be back in the reckoning.
David Warner announced his Test retirement after the series against Pakistan which paved the way for Australia to try Steve Smith as an opener. Marnus Labuschagne retained his Number three position whereas Cameron Green played at Smith’s old position at number four. Cameron Green is a fast-bowling all-rounder and has been with the Australian side for a long time. Nathan Lyon praises him calling him the next Jacques Kallis of international cricket.
“There is so much confidence in that change room around all the guys and not just Smithy batting at No.1 and Cameron at number four,” Nathan Lyon said as quoted by the West Australian. “I have had the challenge of bowling to Greeny in Shield cricket with him batting at No.4 and he has given me a lot of headaches. I actually enjoy seeing him bat at number four and I feel like he could be the next Jacques Kallis of international cricket at number four,” Nathan Lyon added.
Nathan Lyon Hails Cameron Green
Jacques Kallis is one of the greatest all-rounders to grace the game of cricket. He is the only player who has recorded more than 10,000 runs and has taken more than 250 wickets in both Tests and ODIs. The South African legend averaged 55 with the bat and 32 with the ball across 166 Tests. He smashed 45 centuries and accounted for 292 wickets in red-ball cricket for South Africa.
Meanwhile, Cameron Green averages 46 with the bat and 33 with the ball in first-class cricket. Lyon also brushed aside concerns regarding Steve Smith, who is going through a lean patch, and called him the biggest problem solver he has played cricket with.
“I don’t need to talk about Smithy; his numbers speak for themselves,” Nathan Lyon said. “There has been no one worried about Smithy’s form. We are talking about arguably the greatest player of the last decade and there is a lot of talk about his batting. I sit here and laugh because he is arguably the best problem solver I have ever played with,” Nathan Lyon added.
Steve Smith carried the bat against West Indies in the last innings and remained unbeaten on 91 off 146 deliveries smashing nine boundaries and a six. He could have won the Test for Australia and completed his century but he was left stranded at the other end as the team got all out for 207 and West Indies breached the Gabba fortress to win the second Test and draw the series 1-1.
