Lehmann lauds Lyon after seven-wicket haul
Australian coach Darren Lehmann says offspinner Nathan Lyon just keeps getting better after another heroic subcontinent performance in the second Test against Bangladesh.
Lyon finished with 7-94 as Australia bowled out Bangladesh for 305 early on day two before reaching 2-225 at stumps.
It was Lyon's fourth seven-wicket haul and the equal-second best figures of his career after claiming 8-50 against India earlier this year in Bangalore.
The 29-year-old took his career Test wicket tally in Asia to 77, overtaking Glenn McGrath to sit second behind Shane Warne among Australian bowlers in the region.
Lyon's performance on the subcontinent had been cause for consternation just 12 months ago, with Lehmann singling him out for criticism during Australia's disastrous series whitewash in Sri Lanka.
But Lyon's latest triumph, backing up the nine wickets he took in the first Test in Dhaka, underscored the fact that he has become one of Australia's best performers on the subcontinent.
"It was fantastic. Obviously he's just getting better and better in these conditions," Lehmann said.
"He's really growing as a leader in our pack, if you like, in these conditions.
"He's made subtle changes - I think he said 'bowl ugly' - and that's what he's been prepared to do.
"I've been really pleased with his consistency and the way he's changed."
Lyon on Monday said he had studied footage of Indian offspin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin in a bid to improve his performance on the difficult subcontinent wickets.
"I've watched a lot of footage of Ashwin, who in my book is probably the No. 1 spinner in the world," Lyon said.
"In these conditions, it's all about adapting and learning ... I have to put my ego away and really bowl with confidence, in my terms 'bowl ugly.'
"That might be round arm for me, trying to undercut the ball a little bit more but using my stock ball as a variation.
"I think I've learnt a lot in the subcontinent and I'm embracing the challenge."
NATHAN LYON'S BEST TEST FIGURES
* 8-50 v India, Bangalore, March 2017
* 7-94 v Bangladesh, Chittagong, September 2017
* 7-94 v India, Delhi, March 2013
* 7-152 v India, Adelaide, December 2014
* 6-82 v Bangladesh, Dhaka, August 2017
