Australian players congratulate bowler Nathan Lyon, centre, after he claimed the wicket of India's Virat Kohli during play in the second cricket test between Australia and India in Perth, Australia, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. | AP 
Cricket

Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon humbled by Sachin Tendulkar's praise

Lyon took 5-67 in India's first innings 283 during the ongoing second Test at Perth, the seventh time he has bagged a five-wicket haul against them.

From our online archive

PERTH: Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon says is humbled after Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar praised him as a "very special" bowler.

Lyon took 5-67 in India's first innings 283 during the ongoing second Test at Perth, the seventh time he has bagged a five-wicket haul against them.

It put him alongside Sri Lanka great Muttiah Muralitharan as the other bowler to achieve the feat, and it didn't go unnoticed by Tendulkar.

"Australia have got a very special spinner in @NathLyon421," he tweeted. 

"He has got terrific variations and uses the pace and bounce from the pitch to extract maximum value."

Lyon said he was humbled by such praise from the master batsman.

"That's amazing to get something like that from Sachin Tendulkar," he told reporters.

"He's obviously one of the greatest of all time to ever play the game. So, to get recognised from him it's a massive honour."

Lyon, 31, said he still had plenty of gas left in tank and plans to add to his 331 Test wickets in the years ahead.

"I think I've still got a lot of improvement, a lot of learning about the game and about off-spin bowling," he said.

"I believe there's a lot around the corner for me if I keep working hard and keep wanting to get better."

‘Will not go back till CEC resigns’: CJP to resume Delhi protests on Sunday

CJP co-ordinator moves SC seeking release of Dipke, other detainees

SC to hold special hearing on Delhi protest detention, metro shutdown pleas on Sunday

UN raises concern over Delhi protest detentions; India rejects remarks as ‘interference’

Missile hits Riyadh airport, injuring several and forcing evacuation amid fresh attacks