‘I know I’m Australian …’: Why Lyon wants to follow in Warnie’s ‘footsteps’ and help Pom
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Nathan Lyon is “happy to help” English spinner and new Lancashire teammate Tom Hartley with his craft, even if it means the latter can be “effective” on Australian soil during the Ashes.
Lyon linked up with Lancashire in the County Championship, although his stint will last just seven games after Cricket Australia intervened amid concerns over the star spinner’s workload.
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However, the seven games and all of the training sessions in between will give Lyon plenty of time to work alongside England international Hartley.
Lyon was left impressed with what he saw from Hartley during England’s recent Test tour of India and believes Australia’s arch rivals may have discovered a gem.
And even though there’s an intense rivalry between the two nations, Lyon will put his differences aside to assist Hartley for the “health of Test cricket”.
“I was glued to that [India v England] series, I’m a cricket tragic, there’s no hiding that,” Lyon said, per The Times.
“To see Tom make his debut and play the five Test matches … he’s a talent. He’s only 24 and to see what he does, what I believe he can get better at, he’s got a big future ahead of him.
“I’m happy to help Tom in making sure he has the skill set so when he comes to Australia he can be effective. I know I’m Australian, but I want the health of Test cricket to go around the world, especially flying the flag for spinners, because it’s the best craft in the game.
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“When it spins, everyone watches.”
Some critics may feel Lyon helping a member become a key weapon for the old enemy’s bowling attack crosses the line in terms of the heated Ashes rivalry.
However, Lyon feels the complete opposite and believes providing assistance to Hartley is simply continuing the legacy of the late Shane Warne.
“I looked at Shane Warne, the greatest to ever play the game, and he used to fly the flag for spin bowlers,” Lyon said.
“Since he passed, I said internally that I wanted to keep spin a big focus, especially in Australia, but all around the world.
“To make spin cool again and to follow in Shane’s footsteps.”
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