Lyon Vs Harbhajan

[Calm_profit]

Who is better spinner?

 

[honestbharani]

This is good. I feel they are equal level as bowlers.

 

[Bolo.]

Big fan of the joke option being arguably a better bowler than eiher of the genuine choices. Haters gonna hate, but Kallis was one hell of a good spin bowler.

 

[ankitj]

This is a good comparison.

 

[Socerer 01]

good poll derailed by the joke options

 

[subshakerz]

Lyon definitely. Over 400 wickets, a WPM of 4 wickets a match, with flat pitches in Australia as his home, playing mostly in a tough decade for spinners. Class performances in most countries. Respect.

 

[Howe_zat]

Harbhajan was funnier

 

[Coronis]

Harbhajan was funnier

Lyon was never afraid to flaunt the bald though.

 

[anil1405]

Lyon definitely. Over 400 wickets, a WPM of 4 wickets a match, with flat pitches in Australia as his home, playing mostly in a tough decade for spinners. Class performances in most countries. Respect.

Lyon for me too but this logic is absurd.

Based on this logic Wasim or Imran must be the greatest fast bowler ever.

 

[Socerer 01]

Lyon for me too but this logic is absurd.

Based on this logic Wasim or Imran must be the greatest fast bowler ever.

several people do hold that opinion based on that exact logic

 

[anil1405]

several people do hold that opinion based on that exact logic

Casual fans from Pakistan presumably but members in this forum are sensible enough to think otherwise.

 

[subshakerz]

Lyon for me too but this logic is absurd.

Based on this logic Wasim or Imran must be the greatest fast bowler ever.

Not really. Point is when comparing to Harbi, Lyon had tougher home conditions that likely bumped his average up a few points. Especially around 2011 to 2017 when pitches in Australia were very flat. I see Harbi averaging mid-30s if he played in Lyon's conditions.

 

[subshakerz]

Casual fans from Pakistan presumably but members in this forum are sensible enough to think otherwise.

Let's bring up some of the opinions of the Indian posters are on their home bullies being world champs too.

 

[anil1405]

Not really. Point is when comparing to Harbi, Lyon had tougher home conditions that likely bumped his average up a few points. Especially around 2011 to 2017 when pitches in Australia were very flat.

When comparing to McGrath, Wasim had tougher home conditions that likely bumped his average up a few points.

Hence Wasim better than McGrath.

P.S. If you want to start comparing two players you could first talk about their strengths and weaknesses and then talk about other factors.

Harbhajan basically sucked second half of his career irrespective of pitches while Lyon was way more consistent than him.

 

[trundler]

When comparing to McGrath, Wasim had tougher home conditions that likely bumped his average up a few points.

Hence Wasim better than McGrath.

P.S. If you want to start comparing two players you could first talk about their strengths and weaknesses and then talk about other factors.

Harbhajan basically sucked second half of his career irrespective of pitches while Lyon was way more consistent than him.

Not sure if McGrath had friendly home conditions but it's definitely a valid point compared to Hadlee or Ambrose

 

[honestbharani]

I think Bhajji had higher peaks than Lyon but also lower troughs. But Lyon always had success in exactly the conditions where his strong fast bowling attack would be dangerous. When left to lead the attack, he has always been found wanting.

Harbhajan was not great either but he did lead the attack better than Lyon where conditions suited him. And won a series as basically the only bowler against an ATG side. Think Harbhajan easily over Lyon but both same level.

 

[subshakerz]

When comparing to McGrath, Wasim had tougher home conditions that likely bumped his average up a few points.

Hence Wasim better than McGrath.

P.S. If you want to start comparing two players you could first talk about their strengths and weaknesses and then talk about other factors.

Harbhajan basically sucked second half of his career irrespective of pitches while Lyon was way more consistent than him.

Point is that I consider Lyon's record in Australia a lot better than Harbi's in India based on how well he did despite unfavorability of conditions.

 

[Ali TT]

Australia has enough of a history of producing good and, at times, great spinners that I don't buy the argument that Lyon's record is disadvantaged by playing his home matches there and not in India.

However, I still voted for him. He's the definition of consistent really whereas Harbhajan declined badly in the second half of his career. Struggle to think of anything iconic or memorable Lyon has done though.

 

[subshakerz]

I think Bhajji had higher peaks than Lyon but also lower troughs. But Lyon always had success in exactly the conditions where his strong fast bowling attack would be dangerous. When left to lead the attack, he has always been found wanting.

Harbhajan was not great either but he did lead the attack better than Lyon where conditions suited him. And won a series as basically the only bowler against an ATG side. Think Harbhajan easily over Lyon but both same level.

Nobody has expected Lyon to lead the attack in Australia, though he has in a handful of matches.

Lyon did lead the attack several times in the SC, most recently in the last test. Last year he won Australia games in SL and Pakistan. He has vastly improved as an away bowler over the past five years.

Harbi averages nearly 40 away from home. No way he is better than Lyon.

 

[subshakerz]

Australia has enough of a history of producing good and, at times, great spinners that I don't buy the argument that Lyon's record is disadvantaged by playing his home matches there and not in India.

However, I still voted for him. He's the definition of consistent really whereas Harbhajan declined badly in the second half of his career. Struggle to think of anything iconic or memorable Lyon has done though.

Let me put it this way.

Lyon averaging 31 with over 200 wickets as a finger spinner in Australia 2011 onwards is more impressive to me than Harbi averaging 28 as a spinner in India, where almost all the top spinners for India are averaging notably better.

Harbi lacked consistency.