SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Lyon hoping to show white ball form ahead of World T20

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia spinner Nathan Lyon fought hard to cement his place in the test team and now hopes to convince selectors of his white ball prowess in time for the World Twenty20 in India.

Lyon hoping to show white ball form ahead of World T20
(Reuters)

3 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Skip to article content

Lyon celebrated his 50th test against West Indies in Hobart last week but played the last of his eight one-day internationals more than a year ago and has yet to represent Australia in a T20 international.

The 28-year-old will have a chance to impress on Sunday when he bowls for the Sydney Sixers in the domestic 'Big Bash' T20 tournament, a match pitting him against the Hobart Hurricanes' Cameron Boyce, the incumbent spinner in the national team.

Lyon collected eight wickets from his four Big Bash (BBL) matches last season and was one of the Sixers' best in their opening loss to cross-town rivals Sydney Thunder on Thursday.

Although he made his test debut in 2011, it took Lyon nearly three years to nail down a permanent place in the side after a number of false starts and setbacks.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Proving himself a contender in the shorter formats has also been a slow process and he was omitted from the squad that secured a fifth 50-over World Cup victory for Australia in march.

"You're going to have to ask Rod Marsh and the rest of the selectors about that one," Lyon told reporters on Saturday of his fleeting appearances in limited-overs cricket.

"I want to be the spinner in all three formats. I don't know how many times I have to say it.

"That's my goal and the T20 World Cup is definitely on my radar. I just have to come out here and perform well for the Sydney Sixers and enjoying bowling in the BBL."

Lyon will also have to battle for his spot in the squad for the March 8-April 3 World T20 against spin-bowling all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Ashton Agar, who forced his way into the one-day team on the tour of England this year.

A former groundsman at Adelaide Oval, Lyon surpassed Hugh Trumble's 141 test wickets in June to become Australia's most prolific off-spinner and now has 175 to his name.

He said he felt confident he could thrive with "red ball, white ball or pink ball."

"It doesn't faze me what game I'm playing in, I just want to do well for the team I'm playing for and get the right result."

(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by John O'Brien)


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world