Nathan Lyon has revealed his disappointment at Australian cricket bosses preventing him from playing his first full season of county cricket in England with Lancashire.
On the eve of his County Championship debut at the start of the English season, the veteran spin ace said on Thursday his hands were tied by Cricket Australia’s decision last week that he should reduce his spell due to the potential large workload before the India test. series.
CA allowed Lyon to play just seven of Lancashire’s first nine County Championship matches before returning home in July, meaning he will also miss the county’s white-ball schedule.
“Yes, it’s definitely not my decision,” Lyon told BBC Lancashire, when asked about his truncated season.
“That’s the nature of the beast. It’s a business now and Cricket Australia has come to the top and said they want to manage me and hopefully extend my playing career over the next three or four years, whatever that may be.
“It’s disappointing because I signed here wanting to play every game and even play some T20 cricket and I was looking forward to it. But it is what it is, and my hands are tied.”
But despite his disappointment, the 36-year-old, who was looking forward to his first game against Surrey at Old Trafford on Friday, was left relishing the prospect of teaming up with England legend Jimmy Anderson in the Lancashire attack.
“It will be quite surprising. I would be lying if I said (playing alongside Anderson) wasn’t a big part of the reason I signed,” said Lyon, who has 530 Test wickets to Anderson’s 700.
“He is obviously one of the best fast bowlers, if not the best, to ever play the game.
“I’ve had some incredible battles against him. I admire his ability, nothing but respect on my part for what he’s been able to do for England cricket, but also for world cricket, inspiring boys and girls to play the sport.
“If the opportunity arises to be able to bowl alongside him and share a locker room with him, it will be very special.”
But Lyon could also be inspiring the old enemy’s best new hope, as he joins forces with young Tom Hartley, who jokes that he will bend the veteran’s ear all summer.
“Perfect, I love it,” Lyon said.
“I’ve already had some decent conversations with him. I’m not coming here to put him off, I’m here to bowl with him and hopefully pass on a bit of knowledge to him, and if we can work together, I dare say that we will win some games.”
Lyon, whose wife and son will also join him during his time in Manchester, said he had told Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein: “I am fully involved in Lancs cricket.
“I am a cricket fan, I love spin bowling and I want to try to improve and feel that helping some younger spinners will also help my game.
“This has been on my bucket list since I was a kid, the opportunity to come here and compete in English conditions and learn a bit more about my game.
“Lancashire was able to attend the party and it is an incredible opportunity.”
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AAP
