Ex-Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has added his voice to the growing chorus calling for Nathan Lyon to be included in the Australian squad for next year's Twenty20 World Cup.
The Australian Test tweaker could not have done more to enhance his push to play more limited overs cricket with a five-wicket haul in the Sydney Sixers' 95-run Big Bash League demolition of Hobart on Sunday.
Lyon took 5-23 from 3.5 overs as the Hurricanes crumbled to be all out for 91, barely firing a shot in pursuit of the Sixers' total of 7-186.
After Lyon removed Tim Paine and Kumar Sangakkara in the first over, the Hurricanes never recovered from 2-0 and fell to a crushing defeat.
With 175 Test wickets from 50 Tests, 28-year-old Lyon is at the peak of his power but continues to be overlooked for the Australian T20 and ODI teams.
He has made just eight ODI appearances for the green and gold, the last of which was in October last year, with selectors preferring to use allrounder Glenn Maxwell as the team's primary spin option.
He has made no secret of his desire to play the T20 World Cup in India next year and promised to keep making his case.
Haddin, who retired from international cricket after this year's Ashes, said he couldn't work out why his Sixers teammate Lyon wasn't being picked for Australia in all three formats.
"It's no secret I think he's the premier spinner in Australia no matter what ball he's got in his hand, and over the last 48 months he's just getting better and better every time he bowls," Haddin said.
"That wicket was perfect out there for him tonight. There was a bit of bounce and turn. It was good to watch."
Asked what Lyon had to do to crack the one-day and T20 sides, Haddin was at a loss.
"I think he's just got to keep on improving like he is," Haddin said.
"Selections are the easy part, they'll take care of themselves. He's just got to continue to perform every time he gets the opportunity.
"And with Test cricket you don't often get an opportunity to play white-ball cricket but every time he has he's done really well."
