Former Test leggie Stuart MacGill has joined critics of Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, accusing him of rushing through his overs.

Lyon failed to make a breakthrough in Sri Lanka’s second innings of the first Test in Hobart this week on a wearing pitch as pacemen Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc and Shane Watson claimed the 10 wickets to fall.

“He’s bowling too fast and too straight,” MacGill told FoxSports on Wednesday.

“Not just his deliveries are too fast but his overs are too fast. He’s rushing through.”

MacGill showed a greater inclination during his 44-Test career to buy a wicket by tossing the ball up and conceded 3.22 runs per over in taking 208 wickets at 29.02.

The 25-year-old offspinner Lyon’s record in 17 Tests includes 56 wickets at 31.92 and he concedes 2.80 runs per over.

Sometimes maidens appear to be more important to Lyon than trying to induce a false shot.

Lyon took 0-57 off 32 overs in Sri Lanka’s second innings.

Australia captain Michael Clarke places a high importance on maidens and bowling in partnerships but he’s confident a bag of wickets is also not far away for South Australia’s Lyon.

“He complements our attack really well and I think you’re going to see days where he comes out and takes five wickets and you’re going to see days where he can tie up an end and bowl plenty of dot balls to help the quicks take their wickets,” Clarke says.

“I don’t think we can have the expectation on any player to walk out and perform every single time.”

ABC Radio commentator and former Australia Test tweaker Kerry O’Keeffe said on Tuesday: “It’s sad for Nathan Lyon … that he didn’t do too much.”

O’Keeffe’s fellow commentator and former Aussie paceman Geoff Lawson added during Tuesday’s final day of play: “Nathan Lyon’s not penetrating at all. He’s not creating chances.”