Lyon snares five-for, India out for 444

Nathan Lyon continued his impressive form as India were bowled out for 444 halfway through the morning session on day four of the first Test at Adelaide Oval.

Australia claimed a first-innings lead of 73 runs on Friday.

Lyon ran through India’s tail, finishing with figures of 5-134 from 36 overs.

The offspinner was introduced into the attack in the ninth over of the day, instantly troubling Rohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha.

The next over Lyon dismissed Sharma, diving to his right and snaffling a catch when the right-hander was on 43.

Lyon’s turn removed Saha on 25, umpire Ian Gould judging the ball to have scraped Saha’s gloves before travelling to Shane Watson at first slip.

It was Lyon’s bounce that troubled Ishant Sharma, the seamer lunging forward and popping up a simple catch to Steve Smith.

Mohammed Shami lashed a quick-fire 34 before finally falling to Peter Siddle, Watson claiming another catch.

Lyon should have dismissed Shami on nine, but Siddle misread a regulation catch on the rope.

Siddle, who was ill on day three, skittled Karn Sharma’s stumps to claim figures of 2-88.

Lyon, fresh from an underwhelming series against Pakistan where he captured three Test wickets at an average of 140, thanked Ishant Sharma for creating demons in the Adelaide Oval pitch.

“It’s pretty easy, we had big Ishant running down the middle of the wicket,” Lyon said on Thursday, when asked to analyse the difference between the UAE and Adelaide.

“I’m thankful for him making some footmarks.

“Hopefully he does it the whole series.

“I’m enjoying it now and it’s only day three … I expect there’s going to be a fair amount of deterioration in the pitch.”

Lyon looms as a key figure in Australia’s hopes of starting the four-Test series with a win.

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