Experienced Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon revealed that he set a trap for New Zealand’s star batsman, Kane Williamson, resulting in his dismissal on Day 3 of the first Test in Wellington on March 2.
Steve Smith caught Williamson at leg-slip as he attempted to play a Lyon delivery behind square. The Australian team’s celebratory reaction suggested a well-executed plan against the former Kiwi captain.
Addressing the reporters at the conclusion of Day 3 play, Nathan Lyon shared his thoughts on Kane Williamson’s dismissal:
“Yeah, that was the plan. It’s nice when plans come off pretty much straight away. But I have noticed something in Kane’s batting against my bowling. So, yeah I tried to exploit that.”
When a reporter inquired if Lyon would elaborate on the potential weakness he observed in Williamson’s batting, the seasoned off-spinner playfully responded:
“There’s one Test to come, mate (smiles).”
You can watch the dismissal video here:
https://x.com/cricketcomau/status/1763850443694981148?s=46
Williamson faced a run-out on a duck in the first innings, making it crucial for him to post a substantial score in the second innings for the hosts to have a shot at chasing the target of 369. However, his dismissal for nine might prove to be a crucial juncture in the game, considering his frequent role as the linchpin that holds New Zealand’s batting lineup together.
Nathan Lyon justifies Australia’s batting collapse
The reason New Zealand faced a target of 369 for victory, rather than a higher one, was Australia’s second-innings batting collapse, resulting in a total of 164. Nathan Lyon, the top scorer with 41 runs, defended his teammates, attributing the situation to the Kiwi bowlers’ effectiveness. He mentioned:
“The 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.”
Despite a resurgence from New Zealand, they remain 258 runs away from securing victory in the Test. Rachin Ravindra (56*) and Daryl Mitchell (12*) will continue their partnership on Day 4, with the hosts’ total standing at 111/3. As the game advances, Lyon may find even more grip from the surface, potentially making him the most significant threat to the Kiwis.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.