Cricket

Tom Hartley, England's rising star spinner, is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to learn from Nathan Lyon, Australia's legendary off-spinner, during their time together at Lancashire in the 2024 season. Hartley, who has impressed with his performances in India, believes Lyon's guidance will be invaluable in his development.Despite Lyon's arrival, Hartley remains confident in his abilities. He acknowledges the need to improve his seam presentation, particularly in English conditions, and sees Lyon as the ideal mentor to help him achieve this. Hartley also recognizes the importance of developing his batting skills to become a more versatile all-rounder.Hartley's batting prowess has been evident in India, where he has scored 159 runs, including a crucial 34 in the second innings of the first Test. He believes that improving his batting will make him a more valuable asset to both Lancashire and England.Hartley's six-hitting exploits have also caught the attention of England's management. He has struck more sixes than any other England player in the series, a feat that has earned him praise from head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.Hartley is determined to continue his impressive form in the remaining two Tests against India. He hopes to add to his tally of 20 wickets and potentially surpass R Ashwin's record of five sixes conceded in a single series.

Australia's dominance over New Zealand continued as they secured a resounding 172-run victory in the first Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve. Nathan Lyon's exceptional bowling performance, coupled with Cameron Green's match-defining innings, proved too much for the Black Caps.Lyon, Australia's premier spinner, wreaked havoc on the New Zealand batting lineup, claiming six wickets for 65 runs in the second innings. His victims included Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, and Glenn Phillips, as he completed his 24th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.New Zealand began the day with a daunting target of 369, but Lyon's early strikes put them on the back foot. Daryl Mitchell and Scott Kuggeleijn offered some resistance, but Cameron Green's dismissal of Kuggeleijn for 26 extinguished their hopes.Despite a blow to the helmet from Green, Mitchell continued to fight, scoring 38. However, he ran out of partners as Lyon and the Australian attack quickly wrapped up the New Zealand tail.Australia captain Pat Cummins praised Lyon's performance, stating, "Thankfully it spun which, with Nathan in our side, is always a pretty good thing."This loss leaves New Zealand with only one victory in their last 24 Tests against Australia. They will now prepare for the second and final match of the series in Christchurch, starting on Friday.New Zealand skipper Tim Southee acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, "Like every game, we'll reflect and look at ways that we can be better in the next one."While Lyon's performance was exceptional, it was Cameron Green's brilliant innings that truly made the difference. His partnership of 116 runs with Josh Hazlewood for the tenth wicket set the foundation for Australia's victory.Cummins praised Green, saying, "He was amazing, he was really the difference in the end." Green's unbeaten knock of 170 put pressure on the bowlers and helped Australia post a total of 383 in their first innings, giving them a significant lead.Although New Zealand fought back on day three with Glenn Phillips taking 5-45, Lyon's experience and skill proved too much for the Black Caps on a challenging pitch.It was Hazlewood who delivered the final blow, dismissing Mitchell with a well-directed delivery that was easily caught and bowled. This sealed Australia's emphatic victory.

Nathan Lyon, Australia's seasoned spinner, has revealed that his primary weapon is the bounce he generates from the surface, following his impressive performance with both bat and ball in the first Test against New Zealand.Lyon's heroics began with a crucial knock of 41 as a nightwatchman. His resilient batting propelled Australia's score to 164, helping them set a total of 369. He then showcased his prowess with the ball, claiming the vital wickets of Tom Latham (8) and Kane Williamson (9) to reduce the Kiwis to 111/3 at the end of Day 3 in Basin Reserve.On his second ball on Day 3, Lyon dismissed Latham with a short and wide delivery. After the day's play, he discussed his strategy for dealing with the opposition batters."My biggest weapon, and it's no secret, is my bounce all around the world. So I'll continue to try and put some over spin on the ball and try and get the bounce and try and hit the stickers on the bat and challenge the guys' defense on the crease. I've got a fair understanding of what their plan is going to be. So it's a good opportunity for me tonight to reset some goals and reset some plans and we'll go from there," Lyon said.Apart from his exceptional bowling skills, Lyon also displayed his resilience with the bat earlier in the day, scoring 41 off 46 deliveries, including six boundaries. While his knock boosted Australia's scoreboard, the rest of the batters failed to make a significant impact in the second innings. Glenn Phillips dismissed five of Australia's first seven batters.Lyon acknowledged that the batters might be frustrated with the manner in which they lost their wickets."I dare say so. But I'll never criticize 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," Lyon added.

Australia's dominance continued on day two of the first Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve, as they extended their lead to 217 runs. Despite losing Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply towards the end of the day, Australia's bowlers had earlier dismantled New Zealand's batting lineup for a mere 179 runs.Cameron Green, who had remained unbeaten on 174 in Australia's first innings, continued his heroics with the ball, claiming 5-70. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh also chipped in with wickets, while Nathan Lyon's 4-43 saw him surpass Courtney Walsh's tally of 519 Test wickets.New Zealand's top order crumbled under the pressure of Australia's relentless bowling attack. Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, and Rachin Ravindra were all dismissed cheaply, leaving the hosts reeling at 29 for 5. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips attempted to rebuild the innings with an 84-run partnership, but Lyon's introduction proved decisive.Phillips, who top-scored for New Zealand with 71, and Matt Henry, who contributed 42, provided some resistance, but Australia's bowlers remained relentless. Lyon's sharp turn and probing deliveries outside off stump proved too much for the New Zealand batsmen.In response, Australia's openers, Usman Khawaja and David Warner, faced a tough eight overs before stumps. Captain Tim Southee provided a glimmer of hope for New Zealand by dismissing Smith and Labuschagne, but Lyon and Khawaja survived to keep Australia in a commanding position.Green's marathon innings and record-breaking partnership with Josh Hazlewood had earlier given Australia a significant advantage. The pair added 116 runs for the tenth wicket, the highest of the innings and the highest last-wicket stand for Australia against New Zealand.New Zealand's bowlers, who had initially looked promising, struggled to maintain their discipline, conceding 41 extras. Henry eventually dismissed Hazlewood to claim his five-wicket haul, but Green's dominance had already put Australia in a commanding position.