Nathan Lyon, who rose from Adelaide Oval tractor boy to be picked in the Australian Test squad, said he backed his skill and bowled "bravely" in his pursuit to realise his dream.
Published: Jul 27, 2011, 03:24 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 27, 2011, 03:24 PM (IST)
Nathan Lyon (second from right) was named man-of-the-series for scalping 11 wickets against Zimbabwe and South Africa A recently © Getty Images
Melbourne: Jul 27, 2011
Nathan Lyon, who rose from Adelaide Oval tractor boy to be picked in the Australian Test squad, said he backed his skill and bowled “bravely” in his pursuit to realise his dream.
Lyon was yesterday named in the 15-man squad for the Sri Lankan tour just seven months after making his Twenty20 debut for South Australia against his home state New South Wales.
The 23-year old off-spinner was plucked from the Adelaide Oval ground staff last December by South Australia coach Darren Berry, who said that Lyon reminded him of former Test spinner Tim May.
“In the last six months I have been bowling brave with Darren Berry and backing my skill and my craft to hopefully compete at that next level. Bowling well in Zimbabwe has given me a lot of confidence,” said Lyon.
“It’s every kid’s dream to be travelling with the Test squad. It’s going to be an amazing experience. I thought it could happen if I backed my own skills,” he was quoted as saying by Daily Telegraph.
Lyon had done well on the recent Zimbabwe tour, where he was named man-of-the-series for taking 11 wickets against Zimbabwe and South Africa A. He had also shown his worth in Big Bash by playing a crucial role in South Australia’s title win.
Sri Lankan players such as Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are strong against spinners specially on home soil but Lyon said he is ready to confront them.
“I hope they target me. It means I have a better chance of taking a wicket. If I get the opportunity to play over there I will be stoked. If they want to run at me I am more than happy to take the challenge.”
Asked about his reaction on being selected, Lyon said, “It was still a big shock to get the phone call from Andrew (Hilditch).”
© PTI
