Image Credit- CA
When Nathan Lyon
scored the most runs in a Test innings previously, Australia was bowled out for
47 and the match was lost.
After top-scoring with 41 as the visitors crashed for 164 at the Basin Reserve
and forced New Zealand back into the game from a precarious position, Lyon
declared he would not engage in any playful banter with Australia’s batsmen.
“No. That’s the second time I’ve done it in my career,” Lyon said.
“And let’s hope it’s the last.”
However, there’s a
case to be made for Australia’s batting team to do some introspection. This
team does not operate in an introspective or even stern manner towards one
another. Though they are more realistic about their mistakes than England’s
Bazballers, they are not the anti-negativity zealots.
Glenn Phillips, who had taken 51 first-class wickets from 53 matches before
this game and 11 Test wickets overall, took five of Australia’s top seven to
become the first New Zealand spinner to take five wickets at home in 16 years,
according to Lyon, who expressed disappointment at the dismissals of some of
the batters in the second innings.
“I dare say
so,” Lyon said. “But I’ll never criticise our batters the way they go
about it because they’ve been exceptional for a number of years now. But then
you’ve got to give credit to the bowlers and this is my big thing. Bowlers are actually
there to bowl good balls. And it’s not always the batters’ fault getting out
and bowlers are allowed to come up with plans and execute and take wickets. No
doubt there will be some frustration in there.”