Lyon shines after rehabbing ‘like no-one has’ before; ‘unbelievable’ moment sums up mixed Starc showing – Talking Points

Australia has taken a commanding lead in the first Test against Pakistan at Perth Stadium, ahead by 300 runs with eight wickets in hand at stumps on day three.

After the tourists were bowled out for 271 on Saturday, Steve Smith (43*) and Usman Khawaja (34*) steered the Australians towards 2-84 at the close of play.

However, the hosts are sweating on the fitness of Marnus Labuschagne, who is expected to undergo scans on a damaged finger on his right hand before play resumed on Sunday.

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LYON ON THE CUSP OF JOINING THE LEGENDS

As heartbroken as Nathan Lyon was after his injury-enforced exit midway through the Ashes, he immediately set his sights on ensuring he would be fit enough to excel against Pakistan.

In his return to Test cricket, Lyon bowled superbly on Day 3 of the opening Test when finishing with 3 for 66 from 24 overs, which included the wickets of openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq.

In the latter stages of the Pakistan innings, as hopes grew that Lyon might take his 500th Test wicket, the Perth Stadium crowd groaned every time he managed to be the bat.

Lyon was left stranded one short of a milestone that will place him in the company of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath as the only Australians to take 500 Test wickets. The milestone is likely to arrive as soon as Sunday. And what a celebration it will be.

That the off-spinner is in this position is testament to his determination to get back to playing as swiftly as possible after badly injuring his calf in the Lord’s Test in July.

“I was heartbroken, absolutely heartbroken. (I was) shattered (and) in tears in the change room. But then I started the rehab journey,” Lyon said in an extended chat with Fox Cricket.

“I flew home literally two days after that Test match with my wife and that was, I think, on a Friday and by Monday I was in the gym … learning to walk in the pool.

“I had the mentality that I was going to rehab this calf injury like no-one has ever rehabbed an injury before and I’m proud of the way I stuck at that with the help of Cricket Australia and New South Wales medical staff.”

Australia’s triple-threat of topline pacemen Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were deservedly praised for their heroics throughout the World Cup in India.

But the fast-bowling trio were quick to point out how much they were looking forward to bowling alongside Lyon once again after his absence highlighted his importance.

The Australians’ ability to shut Pakistan out of the game by taking eight wickets on Saturday illustrated the point made by his colleagues and coach Andrew McDonald.

“He’s been a part of the three of us (pace bowlers) for a long time and he probably allows us to bowl with the freedom that we do as well,” Starc told foxsports.com.au.

McDonald praised Lyon in the lead-in to the Pakistan series, saying the Australian team would benefit from his return after he missed the final three Tests of the Ashes.

“It was a huge loss when he went down,” he said.

“It destabilised what we normally do and he’s been down the other end of those quicks for … 100-plus matches and is so important to the way that we want to operate.

“He can tie up and end. He can be aggressive when he wants to be. He makes that attack work, there is no doubt about that. And when he wasn’t there … we went through some periods of instability.

“We had to find different ways of doing things. I think at times we could manage that. Other times we didn’t, so it’s great to have him back.”

‘NO NEED’: PAKISTANI ANCHOR’S BRAIN FADE

Imam-ul-Haq toiled against Australia’s world-class bowling attack for more than five hours in the first innings, frustrating the hosts.

The Pakistan opener personified patience throughout his 199-ball marathon, rarely attacking and respecting the pace trio’s disciplined line and length.

Imam needed 161 deliveries to pass the fifty-run milestone and moments later set a new personal best for most balls faced in an away Test innings. The left-hander looked destined to once again thwart the Australians, just as he had done in Rawalpindi last year.

But with less than 15 minutes remaining in the morning session, he suffered a monumental brain fade.

With Nathan Lyon bowling from the southern end, Australian captain Pat Cummins kept mid-on and mid-off in the ring, luring Imam into lofting down the ground – and he took the bait.

He charged down the track and attempted a wild slog, completely missing the Kookaburra. Lyon’s delivery was a touch slower, generating plenty of turn and bounce when beating the Pakistani’s outside edge.

Alex Carey completed the stumping, giving Lyon his 498th Test wicket. Imam, who had been Pakistan’s anchor throughout the entire innings, trudged off red-faced for 62.

“He’s done all the hard work, he’s batted for such a long period of time,” former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey said on Fox Cricket.

“Perhaps a lapse in concentration so close to lunch.”

Pakistan legend Wasim Akram continued: “There was no need for that shot. (It is) a very crucial breakthrough for Australia.”

Any chance of Pakistan clinching a first-innings lead disappeared after Imam’s departure, which proved a turning point in the match. The tourists lost 6-79 after the opener’s dismissal, ensuring there was no chance of a Pakistani comeback.

MARSH THE MATCH-CHANGER

As the only Western Australian in the national side, Mitch Marsh has received a rousing reception from his fellow Sandgropers during the West Test.

Featuring in his first Test at home in six years, the towering all-rounder has given fans at Perth Stadium a significant amount to cheer about to date against Pakistan.

Following his outstanding innings of 90 in the first innings, a feat that effectively put victory beyond the reach of the tourists, Marsh produced a peach of a delivery on Day 3.

After Pakistan’s leading batsman Babar Azam and the plucky Imam-ul-Huq had established a decent partnership of 48, Marsh was reintroduced into the Australian attack.

Marsh bowled two relatively short-pitched deliveries to Azam before landing a beautiful outswinger.

Pitched on a good length, the ball seamed enough to kiss the edge of the Pakistan talisman’s bat nine overs before the second New Ball was due to become available.

The 32-year-old was already celebrating as the ball reached the gloves of Adam Carey, though replays of the wicket revealed it was not the wicketkeeper’s cleanest take.

Fox Cricket commentator Ian Smith declared; “Mitchell Marsh and Perth. It had to be, didn’t it?”

Fox Cricket commentator Wasim Akram noted it was an “important wicket” given the stage the game was at when Marsh struck, with Azam starting to look comfortable on 21.

With Azam removed at 4-181, Pakistan lost the wickets of Imam-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed over the next five hours as Australia seized complete control of the Test.

Marsh was able to conjure movement in the air and off the pitch during nine handy overs and has demonstrated with both the bat and ball in this Test that he is at the peak of his powers.

‘UNBELIEVABLE’: STARC LOSES HIS RHYTHM

We saw the best and worst of Mitchell Starc on Saturday.

The Australian quick was thrown the second new ball early in the afternoon session at Perth Stadium but struggled to control the fresh Kookaburra.

Starc was spraying the ball all over the place during his wayward two-over spell, which featured 12 deliveries on 12 different lengths.

One of his deliveries drew comparisons to Steve Harmison’s infamous wide during the 2006 Ashes Test at the Gabba, with the ball directed towards second slip before sailing through the cordon for five wides.

“That’s unbelievable,” former Australian batter Michael Hussey muttered on Fox Cricket commentary.

Moans and groans rang out around the venue when Starc produced a low full toss that sailed down the leg side, forcing wicketkeeper Alex Carey to dive in the other direction.

Starc was unimpressed with the footmarks, repeatedly kicking the turf between deliveries. At one stage, he retrieved a bail from the top of the stumps and used it to dislodge chunks of dirt and grass from the bottom of his shoes.

“He was kicking the foot holes, but it’s more his action,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.

“He’s just not quite getting it right.”

After being taken out of the attack, Starc jogged off the ground to watch footage of his bowling action, trying to identify what had gone astray.

Australian legend Adam Gilchrist said coach Andrew McDonald had requested footage of Starc’s bowling from Fox Cricket the previous evening after experiencing similar issues from the other end.

When bowling from the Justin Langer Stand end, Starc’s foot was landing on the edge of the inner square, with the change in surface interrupting his rhythm.

But amid the mayhem, Starc still produced moments of brilliance, most notably his dismissal of Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed.

The full inswinger, which has become a Starc trademark, beat Ahmed’s inside edge and crashed into the pegs, uprooting off stump.

Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, who produced a few such deliveries throughout his stellar career, watched on from the commentary box.

“That’s why he’s one of the best in the world,” Akram declared.

WHY MARNUS IS ‘THE BEST OUTFIELDER IN THE WORLD’

Marnus Labuschagne may not have registered a notable score with the bat during the Perth Test, but his efforts in the field are worthy of praise.

The Queenslander was touted as one of the most influential fielders during the recent World Cup in India, and he has carried that form into the home Test summer.

Early on day three in Perth, Labuschagne steamed after the ball at mid-off, sliding and flinging it at the non-striker’s end for a direct hit. The effort only saved one run, but the spectators showed their appreciation with generous applause.

Later in the session, the 29-year-old almost created a run-out chance with a well-directed throw towards the striker’s end from the boundary rope, prompting ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ around the venue.

The youngest member of Australia’s starting XI for the Perth Test, Labuschagne is renowned for his positivity and enthusiasm. He could never be accused of not giving 100 per cent in the field.

“You could put an argument in that Marnus is the best outfielder in the world,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said on Fox Cricket commentary.

“He was magnificent in the World Cup. He’s so energised. He loves it. Loves the game (and) loves being out there, always trying to create impact.”

Former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe concurred: “In the World Cup, he saved at least a dozen runs in certain games, with his chasing, his interception, his throwing.”

His brilliance on the field does not necessarily translate to his judgement when it comes to reviews, as demonstrated on the second day of the Test.