Ravichandran Ashwin Vs Nathan Lyon: Who Is A Better Test Bowler?

Nathan Lyon and Ashwin are two leading spinners in world cricket (PTI)

Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon are currently two of the finest spinners in world cricket. There has been a constant debate on who the better off-spinner in the world is, and after Ashwin's heroics against Bangladesh in the first Test at the Chepauk, the talks about the comparison between the two have again resurfaced.

Monty Panesar recently stated that Nathan Lyon is a better bowler than Ashwin overall, but the Indian off-spinner is better in Indian conditions. So, is Nathan Lyon really a better bowler than Ashwin who just equalled Shane Warne's tally of 37 five-wicket hauls. Let's find out.

Ashwin Has Better Overall Record Than Lyon

If we see the overall numbers, Ashwin has better record than Nathan Lyon. The Indian offie has 522 Test wickets in just 191 innings while Lyon has 530 Test wickets in 242 innings. Also, Ashwin's career bowling average is just 23.70 and has a strike rate of 50.5 as compared to Lyon's average of 30.28 and a strike-rate of 61.8. So, if we see the career stats, Ashwin has surely better figures, and enjoys the advantage in the comparison between the two according to the overall bowling stats.

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Nathan Lyon More Impactful In Pace-Friendly Conditions

Nathan Lyon's biggest strength as a Test bowler is his ability to deliver in varied conditions. He has a good record all over the world whether it is on spin-friendly decks in subcontinent or in the pace-friendly conditions in Australia, New Zealand and England. Ashwin, on the other hand, has great record in subcontinent conditions and in West Indies, but his stats are not great in SENA countries, and that is something that has always gone against the Indian star.

In Australia, Ashwin has 39 wickets in 18 innings at an average of 42.15 while in South Africa, Ashwin has managed just 11 wickets in 13 innings. In New Zealand, he has bowled in just one innings where he picked three wickets and in comparison, Lyon has picked 23 wickets in eight innings in the Kiwiland and 28 wickets in 17 innings in South Africa.

Also, Lyon has taken most of his wickets in Australia where the conditions are not spin-friendly generally and Ashwin's bowling average of 42.15 in those conditions prove how versatile and effective Lyon has been in his career. 

Comparison Of Home And Away Record - Nathan Lyon

Also, an important parameter to judge a world-class bowler is the difference between his home and away record and Nathan Lyon is ahead than Ashwin in this important parameter. Lyon has almost similar wickets at home (259 wickets) and away (251 wickets) and there is not much difference in the average too. Ashwin, on the other hand, has dominated in Indian conditions and has 369 wickets at home while he has just 149 wickets in overseas conditions. 

Conclusion

So, Nathan Lyon surely has shown better skills all over the globe compared to Ravi Ashwin and can be rated as a better all-conditions Test bowler. However, Ashwin is also a quality batter and if we consider the all-round package, he provides more utility as a cricketer.

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