Nathan Lyon's staggering call about playing 2027 Ashes series in England
After his 2023 Ashes series was cut short in cruel fashion, Nathan Lyon is determined to make an impact once again.
Nathan Lyon has insisted he wants to return to England to compete in the 2027 Ashes series, adamant he will still have plenty to offer when Australia returns to once again to attempt to break what will by then be a 27-year series-winning drought away from home. Lyon's 2023 series came to an abrupt end in the second Test at Lord's when he suffered a serious calf injury, but the off-spinner says he is determined to get back for the next two series against England.
Australia were able to retain the Ashes thanks to the series being drawn 2-2, but were left to rue a missed opportunity to win the fifth Test outright after a batting collapse on day five. A controversial replacement ball did the Aussies no favours, while England had regrets of their own following the washed out third Test and two straight losses to start the series.
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Lyon, who also announced a switch of BBL teams from the Sydney Sixers to the Melbourne Renegades over the weekend, said he was confident he would still be able to make an impact at Test level by the time 2027 rolls around. In an interview with SEN over the weekend, Lyon said the injury, which ruled him out of the final three Ashes Tests, had only provided him with further motivation to extend his career.
“I tell you one thing, I’m definitely not joking about going back to (the) Ashes,” he said. “I feel like having this injury, coming home and watching the guys play the three Test matches has really driven me to get back there and make sure I’m back playing cricket.
“My hunger for the game has probably gone to a new level, this has allowed me to have a little bit more time off during my rehab, sit back, reflect and reset some goals and find a really decent purpose for me. I’m definitely not writing off going back to England for the Ashes… the finish line for me hasn’t even popped up in my eyesight yet, I’ve still got a lot of cricket left in me in my eyes and a lot to offer the Renegades, New South Wales cricket but also Australia.”
His competitive fire hasn't dimmed despite the injury, also using the interview as an opportunity to throw some parting shots at England over their much-hyped 'Bazball' gameplan. Under head coach Brendon McCullum, England have embraced an aggressive approach with the bat in particular - however Lyon said the associated fanfare was overblown.
Pointing out that, at least in Tests he had taken part in, England hadn't won, Lyon said the likes of David Warner and others had demonstrated a similarly aggressive approach in the past. While Australia was often criticised throughout the series for a more conservative style, Lyon argued that being able to alter the pace was more important than maintaining aggression throughout.
“I know everyone keeps talking about BazBall, to be honest, I didn’t really see BazBall… throughout my two Tests again them,” Lyon added. “I’m 2-0 in my Tests against BazBall… I look at the Australian cricket team and the batters we’ve had, David Warner for example… I’ve seen him score hundreds in a session… and that’s off playing an attacking brand of cricket.
“I think there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors with BazBall, if I’m being honest with you, and I feel like if you’re going to play an aggressive brand of cricket anyway, it’s about being able to go up and down in gears and understanding the moments in the game.”
Nathan Lyon's BBL switch leaves Aussie cricket fans stunned
Lyon has stunned cricket fans after announcing he will leave the Sydney Sixers after 10 years to link up with the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL. Australia's greatest off-spinner spent 10 seasons with the Sixers, helping them win the 2019-20 title.
But after limited opportunities in Sydney over the past few seasons, Lyon has joined the Renegades on a three-year deal. In doing so, the Test superstar will join forces with white-ball specialist Adam Zampa.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of the Melbourne Renegades," Lyon said in a statement. "(Marvel Stadium's) a place where I enjoy bowling, it tends to spin a little bit. I'm looking forward to hopefully joining up with 'Zamps' in a really good partnership and putting a show on for the Renegades fans.
"I've got some really good friends who are part of the Melbourne Renegades, and that's one of the reasons I wanted to come down. There's a good group of senior players there who I've played a lot of cricket with internationally and also domestically, then you look at the younger guys throughout the roster – it's a pretty powerful squad in my eyes."
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