Nathan Lyon vs Stuart MacGill

[Chrish]

Current “spearhead” vs former “alternative” for his celebrated teammate. Who is a better bowler?

 

[BoyBrumby]

MacGill for me.

I suppose how one views a spinner's role will dictate one's choice to some extent.

If one's minded to have a spinner who can block up an end whilst the quicks rotate at the other and become a weapon on an ageing deck than Lyon's the kiddo, but if one wants a twirler who'll always be a threat, but occasionally cough up the odd four ball, then it's MacGilla.

 

[Zinzan]

MacGill. Proper bowler.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Lyon isn't half the bowler MacGill was

 

[Chrish]

My memory of MacGill is bit hazy but I remember he used to prodigiously turn the ball, even more so than Warne but also was a spray-gun at a times. @BoyBrumby describes it perfectly. Lyon plays his role of supporting quicks usually pretty well and has shown to run through the sides on day 4-5 wickets.

MacGill has a lower average but that also has to do with playing for much stronger team. This comparison might be closer than people may think. Of course, MacGill had a beautiful action. No comparison there.

 

[Daemon]

Lyon plays his role of supporting quicks usually pretty well and has shown to run through the sides on day 4-5 wickets.

Agree with the former but not the latter. In fact he’s repeatedly failed to do that.

 

[TheJediBrah]

MacGill has a lower average but that also has to do with playing for much stronger team.

This is not a factor, even if MacGill did play in a "stronger team". Lyon's had Starc/Haze/*** (or close to it) as his bowling attack for half his career

 

[Burgey]

MacGill for me, and pretty comfortably. Firstly, he isn't a finger spinner, so that helps. Plus he owns a restaurant and has somehow got caught up with being kidnapped by bikies, which is a lot more interesting than anything Lyon has done.

Plus, a genuine wicket taker and less pitch-dependent than Lyon because he ripped it so far.

 

[Chrish]

This is not a factor, even if MacGill did play in a "stronger team". Lyon's had Starc/Haze/*** (or close to it) as his bowling attack for half his career

Stronger team also has to do with batting. If your team is repeatedly posting big totals, then opposition might crumble with lower scores under scorecard pressure.

 

[TheJediBrah]

It's not a factor regardless

 

[_Ed_]

Starc/Haze/***

 

[Line and Length]

If Warne hadn't been around, MacGill would be discusseed as an ATG.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Speaking of Warne some great pics just leaked, looks like nothing's changed

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Is MacGill Australia’s Fatteh?

 

[cnerd123]

Lyon easily.

MacGill had skills but never had an extended run as lead spinner. He's had an easier career, only supporting Warne in friendly conditions and rarely having to do the hard yards as lone spinner in tough conditions. And did he ever get picked when out of form?

Plus Lyon has played for a weaker Australian team. Lots of spells where he doesn't have scoreboard pressure to work with, or where the pace attack around him is flagging or ineffective.

Granted Lyon hasn't really delivered in terms of 4th inning/5th day wins, but he's had longevity and been of a high quality consistently for longer at Test level.

 

[TheJediBrah]

If Warne hadn't been around, MacGill would be discusseed as an ATG.

Or an ATVG at least

 

[Burgey]

He's had an easier career, only supporting Warne in friendly conditions and rarely having to do the hard yards as lone spinner in tough conditions.

Basically the James Anderson of leggies then. Turned up and performed when conditions suited. Otherwise pretty average.

A rare worthy point from cnerd here. Makes you think.

 

[Migara]

Lyon. MacGill played specifically on helpful tracks whenever he played alongside with Warne. Above all Lyon bowls much better to better players of spin, while MacGill was clueless once batsmen started coming down the track to him.

 

[Nintendo]

If O'Keefe had managed to become Australia's primary spinner over Lyon and didn't have a crippling alcohol problem how do we think he would have ended up going? Has a phenomenal shield record

 

[Migara]

If Warne hadn't been around, MacGill would be discusseed as an ATG.

The McGill and Hogg both might have got mentioned. MacGill is a better bowler once batsmen are clueless. Hogg was much better against good players of spin.