Player Test average in South Africa Test average in England Test average in Australia and New Zealand Test average in Asia Nathan Lyon 39.75 29.61 30.05 30.81 R Ashwin 49.63 28.11 41.76 21.76 For many, Ashwin’s Test legacy has a caveat. Player Matches (Innings) Wickets Average Strike rate Nathan Lyon 73 (140) 325 24.20 50.3 R Ashwin 61 (121) 374 18.99 42.2 Ashwin’s career ran simultaneously with India’s stellar home record, with the side losing only two series with him in their ranks – against England in 2012 and then versus New Zealand 12 years later. Ashwin generally thrived in the fourth innings of a Test – a common trait among Indian spinners – averaging 19.12 as against the third innings of a game where his average read 22.69.