Australia vs India 2018: Ravichandran Ashwin Better than Nathan Lyon in Sub-Continent Conditions - John Emburey
Updated - 26 Dec 2018, 06:27 PM
Former England off-spinner, John Emburey has rated Indian National Cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin higher than his counterpart from Australia, Nathan Lyon.
Meanwhile, Lyon has been exceptional so far in the Border-Gavaskar series picking 16 wickets including his match-winning efforts in Perth. Emburey, who was outstanding during his playing days admitted Lyon is better than Ashwin outside the subcontinent.
“Ashwin is a better bowler than Lyon in the sub-continent but in all other countries, Lyon scores over Ashwin,” Emburey told to Sportstar. “Lyon has grown as an off-spinner, he flights the ball, there is loop, bounce, and turn. He uses his body and fingers, is a big spinner of the ball. And he is so accurate, his bowling is in complete harmony with his field placements.
“Lyon imparts over-spin and gives the ball air, so there is bounce for him in Australia, South Africa, and England. He bowls an attacking line outside the off-stump and turns the ball,” he added.
Ravichandran Ashwin is a quick learner
In addition to, John Emburey added that Ashwin is a great learner which was evident in the Adelaide Test. He further elaborated on the duo’s bowling style saying that the Indian spinner gets to drift the ball more.
“In the first innings of the Adelaide Test of this series, Ashwin did flight the ball and achieved bounce but in the second innings, he was back to pushing the ball through.”
“Lyon principally relies on his sharp off-spin while Ashwin does not depend as much on his stock ball. He is more reliant on his variations. To Ashwin’s credit, he does get the ball to drift,” he concluded.
