LYON LOOMS AS SIXERS’ STRIKE WEAPON

PETER Nevill has hailed spinner Nathan Lyon as the Sydney Sixers’ ace up their sleeve in pursuit of a second Big Bash League title.

The Australian Test tweaker will likely be available for the Sixers in the back end of the BBL following the conclusion of the Ashes series in early January.

Australia’s greatest ever off-spinner should be available for the final four regular rounds as well as the finals, provided he isn’t called into the one-day squad for the five-game series against England.

Lyon still harbours aspirations to play all three forms for the national side and it has long been a source of confusion that he is continually overlooked by selectors for white-ball cricket. Nevill, who has returned to the Sixers in 2017-18 after five seasons with the Melbourne Renegades, said their spin attack of Lyon, Stephen O’Keefe and Johan Botha shaped as a matchwinning combination.

“He’s a fantastic white-ball bowler,” Nevill said.

“He’s demonstrated that quite a lot so maybe he will be a chance in the Australian side.

“But if not, the Sixers will take him with open arms.” Lyon has played 13 one-dayers for Australia, taking 17 wickets at an average of 34.82 but hasn’t turned out for the one-day side since last year’s tour of Sri Lanka.

He was overlooked for this year’s Champions Trophy in favour of Adam Zampa and appears long odds for the 2019 World Cup.