Sportskeeda's Test XI of 2017

Spinner

Nathan Lyon - 63 wickets at 23.56

Nathan Lyon bagged a total of 41 wickets across six Tests in India and Bangladesh

Neither Ravichandran Ashwin nor Rangana Herath managed as many Test wickets this year as the rapidly rising Nathan Lyon. Having thoroughly learnt from his previous experiences in Asia, Lyon astonished India and Bangladesh on turning tracks with a total of five five-fors, including his best haul of 8/50 on a first day Bengaluru pitch. With 19 wickets against India in four matches and 22 against Bangladesh in two games, it was a huge achievement for a spinner criticized for failing to adapt to those surfaces early in his career. Averaging just 23.56, Lyon also bowled excellently in the Ashes at home.