Prithviraj Kothari and Evolving Lyon clears all doubts

In Bangladesh, Lyon was presented with a wide variety of scenarios and conditions in the space of four innings. With the exception of a somewhat sluggish start to the Mirpur match as he wrestled with scant preparation like all the rest, he was able to quickly assess the right way to bowl each time. Smith was most impressed by the way Lyon led the line on day one in Chittagong, where a flat pitch and an unbalanced bowling attack meant he was to a large degree on his own.

"Magnificent, probably more the first innings than the second innings," Smith said of Lyon. "The first innings, the wicket really wasn't offering a great deal. I thought the way he just hit that right area, particularly with the new ball, skidding it on and hitting a few guys in front. That was the perfect way to bowl.

"I'm really proud of him. I think he's come a long way particularly on the subcontinent over the last couple of years. He's developed a different style at times. He knows when to bowl differently and when to bowl his stock ball. I thought the way he bowled throughout this series, to take 22 wickets in a two-match series is remarkable."

With the pitch offering greater assistance a second time around, Lyon became far more predatory, producing a series of viciously kicking, turning and topspinning deliveries that provided the desired breakthroughs. In all, Lyon was able to take control in ways that he had not always been able to in the past, answering a challenge he revealed had been put to him by Smith during the pre-tour camp in Darwin.

"Sitting down with the skipper in Darwin, and obviously before these Test matches he put a big onus on me to take control of the ball," Lyon said. "And if I had kept bowling the way I've been bowling in the nets I'd hopefully be successful. So I'm very happy with the way the ball's been coming out in the nets. Bowling to these guys in the nets, there's no better practice.

"Personal success as everyone knows is not something that I look at. It's moments like we've got now, after winning a Test match for Australia, we'll go back and sit around as a group and tell stories and then sing the song. And that's what I play cricket for, those moments. But personally I'm very happy with the way they're coming out.

"To take 22 wickets in a two-match series, it's a pretty big achievement personally. But as I said, I don't do that without the other guys putting in at the other end, like Patty Cummins bowling well, Ashton Agar, Steve O'Keefe and even Hilton Cartwright in this game. So without the support of those guys and the skipper it's pretty hard to go out and have personal success. So I'm very pleased but very thankful as well."

Lyon's inclusive words are not to be taken lightly, for he has grown himself as a leader over the past 12 months. Though he has been custodian of the team song since Michael Hussey's retirement in January 2013, Lyon has emerged more fully as a senior member of the team by the same necessity of generational change that has brought greater responsibility to the likes of Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

"He's really grown," Lehmann said. "Obviously we changed the set-up of the side 12 months ago and we've had a lot of young guys come in the group. He's had to take a next step as a leader so really pleased the way he's gone about that and also Hazlewood and Starc, they're young guys in terms of their presence if you like, but they've all been really good."