Nathan Lyon isn’t happy with Cricket Australia.
Australia’s number one off-spinner expressed his frustrations with the governing body after his time in England was cut short.
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The 36-year-old was one of several Aussies to have jetted off to England to play in the County Championship.
His plans to play the entire season for Lancashire were however cut short with Cricket Australia putting a limit of seven games on his County stint.
The move didn’t sit well with Lyon who likely won’t see major action until Australia return to the pitch for next summer’s Test series against India which kicks off in November.
“Yeah, it’s definitely not my call,” Lyon told BBC Lancashire.
“That’s the nature of the beast. It’s a business now and Cricket Australia have come over the top and said they want to manage me and hopefully extend my playing career for the next three to four years, whatever it may be.
“It’s disappointing, because I signed here wanting to play all games and even play some T20 cricket and was thoroughly looking forward to that.
“But it is what it is, and my hands are tied.”
Lyon said the chance to be on the same side as longstanding Ashes rival James Anderson was a “big part” of his decision to sign up for a stint with Lancashire.
Anderson, 41, is currently resting following England’s 4-1 series loss in India but the swing specialist and Lyon, who have 1,230 Test wickets between them, could yet feature in the same Lancashire XI.
“That would be pretty amazing. I’d be lying if I said that opportunity coming around wasn’t a big part of the reason I signed,” Lyon told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest, fast bowler to have played the game,” the 36-year-old added.
“I’ve had some incredible battles against him. I admire his skill, there’s nothing but respect from my end for what he’s been able to do for English cricket but also world cricket inspiring young boys and girls to play the game.
“If the opportunity comes around that I get to bowl in tandem with him and share a changing room with him it will be pretty special, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Lancashire will face Surrey at Manchester’s Old Trafford from Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 9pm AEDT.
Australians in the 2024 County Championship
Durham — Scott Boland
Essex — Daniel Sams
Glamorgan — Marnus Labuschagne
Gloucestershire — Beau Webster, Cameron Bancroft
Hampshire — Michael Neser, Ben McDermott
Kent — Wes Agar, Xavier Bartlett
Lancashire — Nathan Lyon
Leicestershire — Marcus Harris, Peter Handscomb
Northamptonshire — Chris Tremain
Somerset — Matthew Renshaw
Sussex — Dan Hughes, Nathan McAndrew
Source Agencies
