Lyon's mentor backs protege to roar again during India tour

South Australia coach Darren Berry has backed his protege Nathan Lyon to bounce back and prove doubters wrong during Australia's upcoming tour to India following criticism by former players for not having the good enough skills required to kill of team.

Lyon has come under fire for failing to deliver when the pressure is on taking 24 wickets in third and fourth innings and 35 in first and second digs across 18 Tests, News.com.au reports.

Former Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill and cricket's most successful bowler, Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan, have questioned Lyon's ability to excel late in games on deteriorating pitches.

But Berry has defended Lyon, whom he helped fast track into the Australian Test team.

Berry said Lyon is a young man with an outstanding Test record that a lot of people are scrutinizing.

The coach added that Lyon's record is as good as anyone's, whether it is legendary Australian spinner Tim May, Ashley Mallett or Bruce Yardley

Lyon has since taken 59 wickets at 30 in 18 Tests, and Berry believes he is still a pretty raw cricketer since he didn't come with eight years first-class experience.

Berry added that Lyon was working tirelessly to improve and would prove to be a crucial player in the spin-friendly sub-continental pitches during India series. (ANI)