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Chances support Lyon's 64 overs in innings

Australia claim the amount of chances Nathan Lyon created in his 64 overs in Galle shows the offspinner can continue to be called upon for marathon spells.

Nathan Lyon.
Nathan Lyon. Picture: twitter

Australia will be willing to use Nathan Lyon in protracted spells again, arguing a key metric shows he was not worn down during his marathon bowling stint in Galle.

Lyon bowled the most overs of his career in Sri Lanka's only innings of the second Test, with his 64 the third highest of any Australian Test bowler this century.

The offspinner's effort included 35 overs in one day on day three, before he finished with figures of 2-194 in Sri Lanka's match-winning 554.

The ironman effort has raised questions over the 34-year-old's workload, particularly ahead of next year's tour of India where long stints in the field are likely.

But coach Andrew McDonald pointed to the amount of chances Lyon created as proof he is up to it.

Under a metric used by the Australia, coaches analyse data that shows how many chances are created per balls bowled.

Chances are grouped from category one to three, with one being the simplest and three being the most difficult.

The system is not used to chastise players over missed opportunities, but rather to assess whether plans are working or if a different direction must be taken.

"That's our challenge when we are reviewing as coaches as well," McDonald said.

"Not to get caught up with the scorebook and actually look at the balls per opportunity.

"We know there are going to be mistakes within a game. And I don't think that should affect your plans if you are creating opportunities.

And it's there that Australia argue Lyon's output stacks up.

While final team figures are not available, an analysis of Lyon's bowling show there were nine appeals for lbw off his bowling in the second Test.

One was given out, one would have been out if Australia had enough reviews left and a third was umpire's call on review.

Another lbw shout was only turned down because Angelo Mathews had a slight edge, while most others were tight but the right call was made when given not out.

Lyon also had two stumpings missed off his bowling, a bat-pad turned down, one catch dropped and two others go just wide of fielders.

Data which Australia suggest means he could well have kept close to his career strike-rate of one wicket taken per 65 balls.

"It's a difficult one (on whether his spells are to long). He offers so much," McDonald said.

"If you create the opportunities at less than 50 balls a wicket then you're doing a pretty good job.

"I like to look at that rather than any potential figures you see at the end of the game. I thought he bowled magnificently well.

"With a little bit of luck on any other day, he might have ended up with five or six (wickets) but it wasn't to be."

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