NATHAN Lyon was at his acrobatic best in the opening Big Bash League 05 game as he produced a handy opening audition for Australia’s Twenty20 side.
Lyon proved he’s not just a red-ball specialist by finishing with 1-28 off his four overs in the Sydney Sixers’ Big Bash League opener.
The Test tweaker continues to be snubbed when it comes to the one-day and T20 sides, but the selectors would have been impressed by what he did in the middle at Spotless Stadium.
Lyon got his former Test teammate Shane Watson to play on to his stumps, and took two impressive catches.
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READ NOWBut it was his leaping effort that almost had Mike Hussey caught that was a real joy to watch.
Hussey got a leading edge and Lyon launched himself high and to his left.
Had the ball travelled a little flatter and lower, Lyon could have had one of the catches of the summer.
The sloppiest of his four overs just happened to be the one that featured Watson’s attempted sweep that featured the ball dribbling on to his stumps. At the start of the over Watson launched Lyon high into the stands - and into the hand of a punter who didn’t spill a drop of his beer - but Lyon remained unfazed.
He clearly enjoys the shortest form of the game, and made the most of his time in the magenta.
He’ll feature in the Sixers’ clash against the Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday before he heads south and prepares for the second Test against the West Indies.
Sadly, Lyon is yet to play a T20 game for Australia. He’d love to.
The last spinner to play for Australia in a T20 international was Cameron Boyce, the poor Queenslander who was flown all the way to England in August, then got tonked for 19 runs off one over.
Ashton Agar is currently preferred ahead of Lyon when it comes to ODIs, with Lyon’s last 50-over appearance more than 12 months ago.
Lyon is tipped to be a big earner when it comes to next season’s CA contracts, especially with so many of our big names recently pulling the pins on their Test careers. Playing all three forms would only add to Lyon’s appeal.
If he misses out on next month’s ODIs, at least he can rejoin the Sixers.
The World Twenty20 is in March. A few more wickets - and spectacular attempted catches - could see The GOAT get his white ball wish.