Nathan Lyon hits out after Aussie star dudded by 'disappointing' Cricket Australia move
The Aussie spinner has been directed by Cricket Australia to cut short his stint with English county side Lancashire.
Nathan Lyon has voiced his displeasure at being directed by Cricket Australia to cut his county cricket season short over concerns about his workload. The 36-year-old has been told by Australia's cricket chiefs that he must return home in July, preventing him from playing his first full season of county cricket for Lancashire in England.
The veteran spinner revealed on Thursday that his hands are tied over the matter but understands that it was a decision made so he can be rested for the upcoming Test series against India. "Yeah, it's definitely not my call (to cut his county season)," Lyon told BBC Lancashire.
"That's the nature of the beast. It's a business now and Cricket Australia have come over the top and said they want to manage me and hopefully extend my playing career for the next three to four years, whatever it may be.
"It's disappointing because I signed here wanting to play all games and even play some T20 cricket and was thoroughly looking forward to that. But it is what it is, and my hands are tied."
Despite admitting that he is disappointed to not get a full season in, the Aussie spinner is excited to get the season underway on Friday and is especially looking forward to forming a formidable partnership with England cricket legend Jimmy Anderson.
"It'll be pretty amazing. I'd be lying if I said that (playing alongside Anderson) wasn't a big, big part of the reason why I signed," said Lyon - who has 530 Test wickets to Anderson's 700. "Obviously he's one of the greatest, if not the greatest, fast bowlers to ever play the game.
"I've had some incredible battles against him. I admire his skill, nothing but respect from my end for for what he's been able to do for England cricket but also world cricket, in inspiring young boys and girls to play the game. If the opportunity comes around that I'll get to bowl in tandem with him and share a change-room with him, it'll be pretty special."
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Nathan Lyon moving family abroad to put full focus on county cricket
Lyon has taken his young family over to England so his wife and baby son are by his side for his spell in Manchester. The spinner told Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein that he is uprooting his life in Australia for the meantime so he can give his all to county cricket.
"I'm coming over fully invested in Lancs cricket," Lyon said. "I'm a cricket nuffy, I love spin bowling, and I want to try and get better and feel like by me helping out some younger spinners, that will help my game as well.
"This has been on my list to do since when I was growing up, the opportunity to come over here and compete in English conditions and learn a little bit more about my game. Lancashire were able to come to the party and it's a pretty amazing opportunity."
with AAP