Shane Warne unleashes spray after appalling show in Sydney Test – laying the blame on Nathan Lyon

‘I can’t understand it’: Shane Warne unleashes epic spray after appalling show in Sydney Test – laying the blame on one of Australia’s most respected players

  • The Australian cricket side finds itself staring down a massive defeat to India
  • All-time great spin bowler Shane Warne has pointed the blame at Nathan Lyon 
  • He says Lyon’s fielding alignment allowed Cheteshwar Pujara to score 193 runs

Shane Warne has let loose a devastating criticism of one of Australia’s top bowlers as the side stares down a monumental defeat at the hands of India.

With Australia heading into day five of the Sydney Test trailing by 316 runs, Warne is pointing the blame at Nathan Lyon.

The off-spinner has been a bright spot for the side’s bowling attack, taking four of the seven wickets India surrendered in their first innings in Sydney.

But Warne, considered by many to be the best bowler in Australia’s history, ignored Lyon’s haul and instead pointed out the 178 runs scored against him.

All-time great Shane Warne has pointed the blame at Nathan Lyon (pictured with Emma McCarthy) as Australia stares down a monumental defeat at the hands of the Indian side

Lyon’s stubbornness is costing his side the match, Warne told Fox Sports’ commentary after watching India’s Cheteshwar Pujara score 193 and essentially wiping out any chance of an Australian win.

Pujara eventually fell to Lyon, hitting it straight back at the spin-bowler who caught him on his shoestrings, but Warne believes the wicket should’ve fallen earlier.

‘Pujara would not have made three Test hundreds here if he had a bat pad on the off side and bowled that line. It’s as simple as that. He wouldn’t have done it.

‘So I don’t know why he’s been so stubborn.’

Warne believes that Lyon should have been bowling to Pujara’s off-side, being his right side, and have a fielder up close.

Warne believes Lyon did his team a disservice by not having a fielder close on Pujara's right like the fielder on the left pictured above

Warne believes Lyon did his team a disservice by not having a fielder close on Pujara’s right like the fielder on the left pictured above

That fielding composition was in place during the Perth Test, the only match the Australians have taken from India this summer.

The side is staring down a second consecutive Test loss to India, going out to bat on the fifth day Monday with rain looming.

Sunday’s showing saw the Australian’s bottom order falter, surrendering four wickets before India enforced a follow-on, meaning Australia bats in consecutive innings due to the massive score they’re chasing.

Warne (pictured right with Australian coach Justin Langer) said Lyon was 'stubborn' with his field placement and cost Australia their chance of winning the Sydney Test

Warne (pictured right with Australian coach Justin Langer) said Lyon was ‘stubborn’ with his field placement and cost Australia their chance of winning the Sydney Test

When Indian captain Virat Kohli enforced the follow-on, it marked the first time an Australian side has had to bat in back-to-back innings on home soil for the first time in 31 years.

England were the last team to enforce a follow-on while visiting Australia, also at the SCG, in 1988.

Australia had played 172 consecutive home Test matches without following-on before this year.

That fielding composition Warne (pictured) suggested was in place during the Perth test, the only Test the Australians have taken from India this summer

That fielding composition Warne (pictured) suggested was in place during the Perth test, the only Test the Australians have taken from India this summer

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