Lyon inspired to keep spin “cool” after Warne’s death
Nathan Lyon has revealed how he felt it became his duty to keep spin bowling “cool” following the sudden death of Shane Warne.
Lyon can join Warne as one of Australia’s top-two wicket-takers in history this summer, with five Tests against India and two following that in Sri Lanka.
The 36-year-old insists there is no end in sight, eying off the possibility of playing on close to his 40th birthday and the 2027 Ashes series in England.
Lyon said he had not felt about what legacy would be left for future spinners at the end of his career, or who could eventually replace him in the Test team.
But the veteran admitted he had felt an extra responsibility to promote the craft since Warne’s passing in 2022, after the legspinner had revived the art in the 1990s and inspired a generation of bowlers.
“I do see the responsibility of flying the flag for the spinners around the country, there is no hiding behind that,” Lyon said.
“Especially with the passing of Warnie, I feel like there is a big role for me to ensure that spin stays cool.
“I am not cool in any way, but if I can try and promote spin bowling and promote how great it is to be a spin bowler … it’s pretty cool.”
Lyon is currently ranked third among all Australian bowlers with 530 career wickets, 33 shy of Glenn McGrath’s final tally of 563.
The spinner’s longevity has been key in Australia’s success in recent years, with Lyon playing 100 straight Tests before a calf injury in last year’s Ashes.
But Lyon said it was his father that helped him realise the onus he had to promote spin following Warne’s death.
“Just having that conversation and understanding we’re role models in so many different ways to so many different people around the world,” he said.
“And if we can do our little bit to hopefully make people better cricketers or people, we’re doing our job.”
The tweaker will go head to head with Victoria’s Todd Murphy in the Sheffield Shield this week, while Matthew Kuhnemann is another option to partner him in Sri Lanka.
Lyon has also been impressed by Tanveer Sangha, after playing Shield with him for NSW last week and seeing him out-think Travis Head.
“What he can offer for NSW and Australia going forward is going to be nothing but amazing,” Lyon said.
“I am a big fan of the way he goes about it, he is a class legspinner, he is very confident on his skill set.
“He’s going to be a superstar of the game. I try and help him get better, and he helps me get better as well.”
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