Lyon’s arrival has got us all roaring
Nigel Gardner assesses the effect the Australian spinner has had since coming to New Road
Nathan Lyon has only been with Worcestershire for just over a week but the Australian off-spinner has already made an impression his figures do not convey.
His two wickets in the win at Derby suggest a modest County Championship debut for a leading international bowler, but both his captain and coach believe his contribution at the club has already been significant.
Lyon has taken on the overseas berth from fellow Australian John Hastings, who is preparing for the Champions Trophy and skipper Joe Leach said: “Straight away Nathan has fitted into the group.
“I know for a fact he’s already helped out George Rhodes and Dolly (Brett D’Oliveira) and a couple of the other spinners and that Australian belief, that hunger which first of all Hasto (Hastings) brought to the group has been carried on by him.
“You can see we are becoming a side that believe we can win games of cricket. It’s a very Australian way of thinking and is something he can bring to the group in addition to all his tactical experience, having played 60 odd Tests and his general cricket knowledge.
“He bowled very well over the course of the game and only picked up two wickets, which is a good sign for us because if he keeps bowling like that he will take a hell of a lot of wickets in the four or five games he’s here.”
Director of cricket Steve Rhodes also sees Lyon’s influence extending beyond the middle.
“He’s been a great addition to the squad and in typical fashion from an Australian he throws himself into the team. He’s spent a lot of time with George Rhodes in these last few days and passes on lots of tips and there are a couple of other spinners I would like him to help out, so it’s an all-round package with Nathan.
“Cricket is a strange game and the wickets came at the other end, but they could easily have gone Nathan’s way.
“He’s a wonderful bowler; he gets a lovely shape on the ball and gets good bounce and turn so we are really looking forward to having him in our team.”