Rather than give himself a rap, Queensland quick Ryan Harris has opted to push Nathan Lyon’s Test case despite the besieged NSW spinner again struggling in the Bulls’ 188-run Sheffield Shield win at the Gabba.

Harris inspired the Bulls with match figures of 7-118 and a run-a-ball 50 in a stirring first-class return from knee surgery.

But instead of patting himself on the back, Harris got behind Lyon, saying he is Australia’s “best spinner” ahead of the first Test against India starting at the Gabba on December 4.

And Lyon needed all the help he could get after he posted match figures of 1-111 on the deck that will host the four Test series opener.

It was another hard day at the office for Lyon who has claimed just 14 Test wickets this year at an average of 61.5, capped by a horror series against Pakistan.

Queensland leg-spinner Cameron Boyce was the only slow bowler to impress in the Shield clash, taking 3-48 in NSW’s second innings and at one stage was on a hat-trick.

It was another impressive turn by Boyce who was blooded in four Twenty20 internationals for Australia recently.

While Harris liked what he saw from Boyce, the Test quick threw his support behind Lyon.

“I will stick up for Lyono a bit,” Harris said.

“Cam (Boyce) is around the mark but I think Nathan is still our best spinner.

“We are playing for the national team so we are all under the pump.

“But I think he bowled okay in Pakistan.”

Lyon appeared to struggle on UAE’s spin-friendly deck against Pakistan, claiming disappointing figures of 2-148 and 0-72 in Dubai and 1-154 and 0-48 at Abu Dhabi.

But Harris believed the figures were misleading.

“Look at the Pakistan series – he’s bowled a lot on first day wickets which is tough to do,” he said.

Harris claimed Boyce was a Test spinner of the future.

“He’s definitely up there,” he said.

“By having a taste of it (in Twenty20 internationals) it is giving him more drive.”

Harris thrashed a half century to help the Bulls set a winning target of 371 before snaring 4-59 as the home side routed the Blues for 182 in their second dig in fading light on the final day.

Harris began NSW’s second innings on a hat-trick but Ryan Carters survived the first ball caught behind shout – just.

Queensland batsman Joe Burns was named man of the match thanks to his career-best 183 in the Bulls’ first innings of 9(dec)-472.