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Lehmann lauds Lyon after super seven

Australia's greatest ever off-spinner 'getting better and better' says head coach

Australian coach Darren Lehmann says off-spinner 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.

Lyon tears India apart with eight-wicket haul

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 vows to 'bowl ugly'

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.

'GOAT' returns second-best Test match figures

"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."

Day wrap: Aussies defy heat, Bangladesh bowlers on day two

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



Australia in Bangladesh 2017

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Steve O'Keefe, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade.

Bangladesh squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (c), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Liton Das, Taskin Ahmed, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Mominul Haque.


27-31 August First Test, Dhaka, Bangladesh won by 20 runs


4-8 September Second Test, Chittagong