Kevin Pietersen Hails Nathan Lyon, Calls Him Something Pretty Special

Former England skipper and one of the stylish batsmen during his heyday, Kevin Pietersen has heaped praises on Nathan Lyon. Lyon has been in terrific form in the ongoing Ashes and has already bagged 11 wickets in a couple of Tests. He looks an improved bowler especially after a lean tour of Sri Lanka last year.

Lyon has bagged 38 wickets in the last 5 Tests which is his best sequence in his Test career. He even tormented the Indians during their tour of India earlier in the year and returned with exceptional figures of 8/50 in the Bengaluru Test. Currently, he sits pretty at the top with 55 Test wickets in the calendar year and is level with Indian spin ace Ravichandran Ashwin.

Lyon had stated ahead of the Ashes that some of the Australian bowlers could end some England players careers, but he has backed his words with a couple of brilliant performances in the first two Tests at the Brisbane and Adelaide.

Lyon, with what he’s doing to all the left-handers, he’s gone to a new level. His finger spin is something pretty special,” Pietersen was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Pietersen is a part of the Nine Wide World of Sports team for the first three Ashes Test. Following commentary stint, he will join the Melbourne Stars for their opening BBL clash against the Brisbane Heats in Brisbane on 20^th December.

“He’s surprised everyone. One of the commentators said, ‘I want to go and ask him how come he’s become so good’,” he said. “His control, his spin, is just phenomenal, it really is. I’m super impressed with what he’s done. The thing is, he talked the talk before the series. He must’ve known how well he was bowling because he’s walking the walk, and England haven’t helped themselves – they’ve picked six or seven left-handers, (which is) stupidity,” Pietersen said.

Lyon has already taken the 6^th spot among Australia’s all-time highest wicket-takers with Brett Lee (310) and Mitchell Johnson (313) well within his sights. Former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting who handed Lyon his maiden Test cap feels the off-spinner could end up bagging at least 400+ Test wickets.

“Nathan’s confidence has gone through the roof and it’s grown tenfold since the tour of Sri Lanka last year when he lost all confidence. To be able to bounce back from that and have the year that he’s had so far says a lot about him and the confidence the captain has in him,” Ponting said.

“I’ve watched him for a long time, I’ve played with him for a few years, the way he’s releasing the ball now is just absolutely superb,” the former Aussie skipper concluded.